Category: Science

MIL-OSI Security: NAMRU INDO PACIFIC Grows Partnership in Malaysia

Source: United States INDO PACIFIC COMMAND

KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia –

Capt. Andrew Letizia, science director of Naval Medical Research Unit (NAMRU) INDO PACIFIC, has described the command’s collaborations with partner nations as the lifeblood of Navy Medicine’s OCONUS research and development.

“The best part of my job is sitting down with excellent researchers from a host nation, putting our goals and concepts on paper, designing a project, and then watching the project help meet the needs of the partners as it comes to life,” Letizia explained. “Since I first started playing with Legos many years ago, I have enjoyed building things. Watching NAMRU INDO PACIFIC build new partnerships and strengthen the previous ones brings back that same joy I felt as a kid, making all of the pieces fit together correctly to make a great creation.”

NAMRU INDO PACIFIC partners with 10 different countries within the area of responsibility (AOR). This network of collaborators continues to grow as the scope of Navy Medicine research expands to meet the ever-evolving needs of U.S. service members. Malaysia, home to many of the U.S. Navy’s partners, is the latest of these countries to see an expansion in collaboration.

KUALA LUMPUR
Like many Sailors, Lt. Cmdr. Dawn Weir wakes up early to make her way to the office. Unlike other Sailors, Weir’s walk to work takes her through the bustling metropolis of Kuala Lumpur, the capital of Malaysia. From her office at the U.S. Embassy, she oversees research projects in Malaysia for NAMRU INDO PACIFIC, one of Navy Medicine’s three OCONUS research commands.

Weir, a microbiologist, is the first person to fill this brand-new billet. NAMRU INDO PACIFIC has been building partnerships within Malaysia for almost 15 years, and Weir is the first active-duty U.S. Sailor stationed in-country.

“The best part of my job is working with our Malaysian partners,” Weir said, “to foster and strengthen existing collaborative research endeavors, as well as to expand and create new efforts to achieve both their and our research needs and objectives. I also enjoy sharing space and working with my Office of Defense Cooperation and other U.S. Embassy colleagues to support various medical lines of effort and other global health security initiatives.”

In 2007 NAMRU INDO PACIFIC, then known as NAMRU-2, initiated a partnership with the University of Malaysia. In the years since, the partnership has grown into a much bigger relationship, spanning multiple projects and interoperability.

“We have been working with [NAMRU INDO PACIFIC] for the past 16 years,” explained Dr. Sazaly Abu Bakar, professor and executive director of the Tropical Infectious Diseases Research & Education Centre (TIDREC) at the University of Malaysia, “and this relationship has really grown over the years. We are now at a transition point that is going to take this relationship to the next level.”

Part of that next level involves Weir as an active-duty researcher and in-country liaison.

“We used to have just a few projects,” added Abu Bakar. “Now we have more activities, focused on biomedical research. This shows how the relationship between the two has grown over the years.”

NAMRU INDO PACIFIC also partners with the National Defense University of Malaysia. Brig. Gen. Mohd Arshil Moideen, dean of the university’s medical facility and defense health division, spoke highly of the partnership.

“The collaboration includes capacity building in our research, specifically in diagnostic laboratory capabilities,” Moideen explained. “We are currently running a few major research collaborations with tropical disease, as well as entomology studies. Lt. Cmdr. Weir is here specifically for this research cooperation, and this has never happened before. This means that Malaysia is now a significant partner in term of research collaboration.”

“A permanent NAMRU presence within Malaysia will not only enhance our ability to achieve our mission, but also demonstrates to our Malaysian partners our commitment to continue to work together to enhance health security in the region for years to come,” said Weir. “In my experience thus far, the biggest challenges have been overcoming various administrative challenges often outside of our control that impede the progress of our collaborative research goals and objectives.”

BORNEO
NAMRU INDO PACIFIC is also partnering on research in collaboration with The University of Malaysia Sabah, located in the Malaysian state Sabah, which lies on the island of Borneo.

Borneo is an island east of Kuala Lumpur, and the third largest in the world. It is home to one of the most diverse ecosystems on Earth, with native flora and fauna that includes the world’s biggest flower and world’s smallest elephant. Borneo is also one of the few places where orangutans live in the wild.

Borneo is also home to East Malaysia, comprised of 2 states and 1 federal territory, the country of Brunei and 5 provinces of Indonesia. The university has over 100 lecturers and more than 500 students, as well as a medical and nursing school.

“We have a lot of diseases in Sabah,” explained Dr. Yosof Ibrahim, dean of UMS. “The number of research that has been done is limited, because of manpower and expertise. There are a lot more diseases that need to be discovered, identified and to be explored. Sabah has many different ethnicities. We have 32 different ethnicities. This is a challenge. Topography is a challenge. Dialect is a challenge. The way we [in Sabah] live and look at things are very different.

“This collaboration is beneficial,” Ibrahim added, “not only to NAMRU, but to us. In a way, it opens an avenue for us to expand our research and design what our protective measures should be for rural people. 70 percent of our people are in a rural area. There is a difficulty in access to medical facilities.”

“Malaysia is rich in culture,” said Weir, “with Malay, Chinese, Indian, and indigenous communities. This diversity fosters a vibrant social scene and a diverse and unique culinary experience! Malaysia is also home to diverse and beautiful landscapes perfect for outdoor activities like hiking, diving, and exploring national parks. I personally love the year-round warm tropical environment. Anyone who is fortunate enough to have the opportunity to visit or work in Malaysia should not pass it up.”

NAMRU INDO PACIFIC plays an important role in the heath of those in the U.S. Indo-Pacific Command (USINDOPACOM) AOR. One of the most culturally, socially, economically and geopolitically diverse regions, the Asia-Pacific region is home to 38 nations and 60% of the world’s population. More than one-third of these nations are smaller, island nations, where many tropical diseases are prevalent.

NAMRU INDO PACIFIC collaborates with partners in Singapore, Mongolia, Cambodia, Malaysia, Thailand, Laos, Vietnam, Australia, Papua New Guinea and the U.S. to conduct research efforts throughout the USINDOPACOM area.

The command’s “hub and spoke” model of operations from its headquarters in Singapore, its wide array partners in the INDOPACOM AOR and the over 375,000 U.S service members stationed in the Pacific allow the NAMRU INDO PACIFIC scientific portfolio to shift, as needed, to align with host nation and sponsor priorities while maintaining focus and efforts on U.S. health security objectives.

MIL Security OSI –

January 23, 2025
MIL-OSI China: Paintings explore odyssey of vision

Source: China State Council Information Office 3

Gazing at the paintings of Chang Shuhong (1904-94), founding director of the Dunhuang Academy, people can still feel the fundamental draw of the Mogao Caves that brought him back from France in the 1930s, leaving behind a prospect of an emerging classical oil painter.

The following five decades saw him immerse in the charm of the treasure trove of Buddhist murals and painted sculptures as a wholehearted protector of the grottoes in the Gobi Desert of Northwest China.

His later works, therefore, were largely influenced by murals in the Mogao Caves of Dunhuang, Gansu province — a UNESCO World Heritage Site — and a more down-to-earth, local artistic expression of China popular at that time, says Zhang Yiqing, research librarian at the Zhejiang Provincial Museum in Hangzhou, Chang’s hometown.

In commemoration of the 120th anniversary of Chang’s birth, some of his oil paintings, watercolors and sketches are on show at the museum through to Sunday.

The exhibits also include Chang’s copies of the murals in the Mogao Caves, as well as zhongcai (heavy-color) paintings, an important genre of Chinese painting with fine, precise delimitation and the layering of pigmented hues.

Through Chang’s own depiction, the exhibition gives a display of early conservation efforts of the Dunhuang Academy, while tracing Chang’s artistic exploration and achievements before and after he went back from France.

Chang was born in Hangzhou, a warm, wet and picturesque city along the lower reaches of the Yangtze River. In his early 20s, he went to France to study oil painting and fabric pattern design.

His graduation work at the Ecole Nationale Superieure des Beaux-Arts de Lyon, Portrait of Madame G, ranked top among his peer graduates. He later entered the prestigious Ecole Nationale Superieure des Beaux-Arts in Paris with a scholarship funded by the city of Lyon.

In France, Chang was active in salons, official art exhibitions sponsored by the French government. Having received several awards, some of his works were included among the collections of French cultural and artistic institutions, such as the Centre Pompidou in Paris.

An encounter on the bank of the Seine changed his life.

From a bookseller Chang got to read French explorer and Sinologist Paul Pelliot’s photo catalog, the six-volume Les Grottes de Touen-Houang (The Grottoes of Dunhuang). He then visited the Guimet Museum, or the National Museum of Asian Arts, to see the relics of Dunhuang taken by Pelliot.

Chang marveled at the beauty and profoundness of the caves, first built more than 1,600 years ago, while mourning the loss of or damage to the cultural relics.

He then made up his mind to go back to his home country and devote his life to the preservation of the grottoes and the promotion of Dunhuang studies.

Chang came back in 1936. Amid the War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression (1931-45), he managed to arrive in Dunhuang after a month’s arduous journey in 1943 and prepared for the establishment of what is known today as the Dunhuang Academy.

This year also marks the 80th anniversary of the founding of the academy, which currently oversees the Mogao Caves and several other relics sites in Gansu.

In the late 1990s, Chang’s second wife Li Chengxian (1924-2003) and their children donated more than 200 paintings of Chang to the Zhejiang Provincial Museum, a small part of which are displayed at the museum’s permanent Chang Shuhong Gallery.

Zhang, who is also curator of the ongoing temporary exhibition, says its more than 80 paintings serve as a larger presentation of Chang’s works housed at the museum, alongside the collection of Shanghai-based Long Museum and the private collection of Chang Jiahuang, Chang Shuhong’s second son.

Sincere creativity

With his subtle brush, Chang Shuhong recorded the Mogao Caves and the Dunhuang city in different seasons: the trees and blossoms in spring; the frozen Daquan River in front of the caves during winter, children playing on ice, a white stupa in the distance; and birds in snow against the backdrop of the landmark timber-structured nine-floor building that houses the tallest statue of Maitreya Buddha, or the Buddha of the Future, at the Mogao Caves.

Upon his arrival, Chang Shuhong and colleagues pioneered a systematic conservation of the relics, planting trees and building protective walls, reinforcing the cliffs, constructing pathways, cleaning up the caves buried in sand, investigating and numbering them. Many of his paintings feature these efforts carried out at the windy and sandy Gobi Desert.

He also depicted several times the bustling temple fair in front of the caves, falling annually around the eighth day of the fourth month on the Chinese lunar calendar, in celebration of the birthday of Siddhartha Gautama (better known as the Buddha).

During the nine years in France, Chang Shuhong focused mainly on classical realistic oil painting, constantly exploring what could possibly become a “Chinese style of oil painting” and integrating it with his generation of artists’ reflection of life and concern about society.

Hence, the art of Dunhuang particularly resonated with Chang Shuhong, as it was, in his own words, “created by ordinary people and for the ordinary people”. He saw in it exuberant, sincere creativity that he realized would have a significant impact on the creation of art in the coming decades, Zhang says.

Two paintings of fresh produce Chang Shuhong created in different periods exemplify his transformation in artistic style. One was painted in 1933 in Paris, displayed at the Chang Shuhong Gallery, and the other in 1976, on show at the temporary exhibition.

The earlier painting, conforming to the classical style, is overall of a gray tone with low saturation, whereas in the latter one, the painter used bold and clear lines, large red and green blocks to create striking contrast, though like before, the fish glisten in subtle light.

Zhang adds that such transformation reflects the influence of the art of Dunhuang.

Highlights of the exhibition also include one of Chang Shuhong’s facsimiles of a mural from Cave 254, dating back to the Northern Wei Dynasty (386-534), depicting a well-known piece of the Jataka tales, narratives of former incarnations of the Buddha. In his lifetime, Chang Shuhong copied this mural many times.

He once wrote, the creators of this mural, featuring Prince Sattva sacrificing himself to feed a hungry tigress, so cleverly and skillfully combined different scenes of different times in the space of a single picture — his trip to the jungles, his offering of his own blood and flesh to the tigress, as well as his two brothers’ discovery of his remains, their grief, and how they bury their sibling and build a stupa for him.

A solemn and heavy atmosphere is strengthened with the lines and colors, the contours and content, as well as the deep brown hue, he added.

Chang Shuhong wrote in 1948 that conservation of the caves required detailed, accurate and systematic facsimile of the murals with a faithful attitude, which is a matter of patience and sacrifice of one’s own style and personality. His devotion to protecting the Mogao Caves largely cut down the time and effort paid to his own painting.

In 1951, staff members of the academy co-authored an article introducing their facsimile project, which said that over the past four decades, many of the murals presented in Pelliot’s photo catalog had been destroyed or faded. With limited scientific knowledge and facilities, facsimile had become their priority and urgency.

According to Chang Jiahuang, since the 1950s, his father had been frequently inviting art majors from across the country to copy the murals and sculptures of the Mogao Caves, while learning the traditional arts of Dunhuang.

In 1979, he also replicated the mural featuring Prince Sattva of Cave 254, when he and a dozen classmates at the Lanzhou-based Academy of Fine Art and Design of Northwest Normal University joined this program under the strict supervision of his father, who, nevertheless, would sometimes visit them without notice late at night in the caves where they were working, bringing pears he himself grew.

Chang Jiahuang says: “It was only after a long time that I learned from my father’s memoir why he had such an attachment to this mural and why he wanted me to copy it.

“During his most difficult times, this painting inspired him, generating courage for him to persevere. In those three months, I deeply felt the dedication of ancient painters of Dunhuang and my own parents.”

This year also marks the 100th anniversary of his mother’s birth, who joined in the research and conservation of the Mogao Caves in 1947. In April, the son donated their family’s 1,500 boxes of belongings to Zhejiang University, his father’s alma mater, for research and digitalization.

Embracing technology

As early as in the 1980s, Chang Shuhong had foreseen the potential of digitalization in cultural relics conservation.

Pan Yunhe, academician at the Chinese Academy of Engineering and former principal of Zhejiang University, who joined the initial digitalization exploration of the Mogao Caves, recalls his first meeting with Chang Shuhong in 1982.

At that time, Chang Shuhong was among the jury of Pan’s first academic program, which pioneered in generating patterns with artificial intelligence. Chang Shuhong expressed interest in preserving the murals of Dunhuang with a digital approach, visiting Pan’s laboratory and discussing the feasibility.

“He was open-minded and very sensitive to new things. Ahead of his time, he could always absorb new things into his own creation,” Pan says, adding that Chang Shuhong was very kind and gentle to young people like him, who was at that time in his 30s.

In 1998, the Dunhuang Academy and Zhejiang University launched an academic program led by Pan and sponsored by the National Natural Science Foundation of China to explore preservation, research and utilization of the Mogao Caves on a digital basis.

Pan says, the launch of the program resulted from years of endeavor with the Chang family — the parents, firstborn daughter Chang Shana, who was director of what is now Academy of Arts and Design of Tsinghua University, and Chang Jiahuang — as well as Fan Jinshi, who took charge as director of the Dunhuang Academy that year.

“Chang Shuhong was well-established in oil painting. It’s a pity he painted so little in the latter part of his life,” Pan said while visiting the exhibition at the Zhejiang Provincial Museum on Sept 29.

That day, Chang Jiahuang said at the exhibition’s opening ceremony that as his parents’ student, secretary and assistant, he witnessed their twists and turns, their creation and research, and experienced their art and spirits, following which he grew to become introspective, modest and rigorous.

According to him, the ongoing exhibition is the largest display of Chang Shuhong’s paintings since 1990 and a good presentation of the master’s spirits conveyed through his works.

MIL OSI China News –

January 23, 2025
MIL-OSI China: Early cancer testing urged despite growing awareness

Source: China State Council Information Office 2

Despite an increased awareness of cancer among older adults in China, it is important to step up early screenings for certain types, such as prostate cancer, to curb rising incidences, according to a recent report and experts.
A rapidly aging population and changes in lifestyles have elevated cancer rates and related deaths in China. It is estimated that 2022 saw more than 4.8 million cancer cases, and nearly 2.6 million related mortalities, and incidence rates began rising significantly among those in their late 30s.
According to a report, 85.8 percent of surveyed urban residents age 45 and older said that they are concerned about the risk of being diagnosed with cancer. Cancer of the lungs, stomach and liver are their biggest fears. These three types are also among the top five most common cancers in the nation, according to the report released on the sidelines of an event held by Chinese Aging Well Association on Friday.
Moreover, more than 96 percent of surveyed men and women said they believe in the importance of cancer screenings, and more than 80 percent said they have undergone such tests.
Women and high-income groups exhibit a stronger willingness to take screening examinations.
While screenings for lung, liver and stomach cancer are the most prevalent, the report has called attention to the relatively low screening rates for prostate cancer and cervical cancer. Prostate cancer is the most common cancer for men in two-thirds of the countries across the globe. In China, the incidence rate is lower than that in developed Western countries, but the rate has been on the rise in recent years.
Xing Nianzeng, vice-president of the Cancer Hospital of the Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, said that the incidence rate of prostate cancer has increased by about 7 percent annually in recent years. However, the five-year survival rate of the disease in China is around 70 percent, lower than the nearly 100 percent in developed countries.
“There is a very simple and sensitive test called the PSA test, or prostate-specific antigen test, which only requires collecting a small amount of blood,” he said.
“Abnormal test results signify that the man should go through further examinations.
“It is important to raise awareness of early screening among high-risk groups,” he added.
Experts suggested men age 50 and above take the test every two years, and those with a family history of prostate cancer are advised to have the test done annually starting at 45 years old.
Gao Jie, chief physician at hepatobiliary surgery department at Peking University People’s Hospital, said during an interview with The-Paper.cn that about 70 percent of liver cancer patients are at an advanced or late stage when seeking treatment, and only 30 percent see a doctor at an early stage.
Early screenings and diagnoses will play a significant role in tackling cancer, he added.

MIL OSI China News –

January 23, 2025
MIL-Evening Report: Glucose monitors for diabetes have finally been funded – but a chronic workforce shortage will limit the benefits

Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Lynne Chepulis, Associate Professor, Health Sciences, University of Waikato

Pharmac’s decision to fund continuous glucose monitors and automated insulin delivery systems for the approximately 18,000 people who currently live with type 1 diabetes in Aotearoa New Zealand is good news.

The decision comes after years of advocacy from patient groups and clinicians.

But there are problems within the broader system – particularly around workforce shortages – that mean full patient access to training on how to use the insulin pumps will likely take years.

Failing to address these issues will also perpetuate health inequities for Māori and Pacific people, who are less likely to have used the monitor and pump in the past, and may have to wait longer for training. These delays could mute the positive effect of Pharmac’s funding decision.

A complex balance

Type 1 diabetes is an autoimmune disorder that causes a person’s pancreas to stop producing insulin. This all-important hormone is needed to move glucose into every cell in the body.

Without insulin, the cells (and the person) “starve”. While the current approach to the management of type 1 diabetes – finger pricking to test blood glucose levels and injecting insulin – works, it’s complex.

Inject too much insulin and you’ll get low blood sugar (hypoglycaemia). This leaves a person with type 1 feeling shaky and weak, or possibly even in a coma. Don’t inject enough and you have ongoing high blood sugar (hyperglycaemia). This leads to long-term health complications.

Figuring out the right amount of insulin is elusive. Needs constantly vary according to time of day, diet, exercise, illness, caffeine, alcohol, stress and other factors. This can take a toll psychologically and physiologically.

Modern solutions

Continuous monitors track blood glucose levels 24 hours a day through a sensor just under your skin, replacing finger-prick testing. They are widely funded and used overseas.

The monitors alert users to low blood glucose and have significantly reduced hospitalisations for people with type 1 diabetes.

Combining the monitors with a pump and appropriate algorithm automates the delivery of insulin when glucose levels rise higher than a patient’s target range – significantly reducing the day-to-day burden of treatment.

But the continuous monitors and insulin pumps are expensive.

Prior to Pharmac’s decision, the monitors were completely unfunded. Prices ranged between NZ$2,600 and $4,800 per year. Insulin pumps were funded, but only for a small group of people.

This created an ever-widening equity gap. Māori and Pacific people with type 1 diabetes were less likely to access monitors and pumps. They were also more likely to have recurrent hospitalisations for diabetes-related events.

A workforce shortage

When compared with other countries, New Zealand has been slow to fund the monitors.

Unfortunately, the diabetes workforce is also significantly understaffed when compared to international guidelines.

There is a shortage of all qualified health care professionals for type 1 diabetes including endocrinologists, nurse practitioners, diabetes nurse specialists, dietitians, psychologists, social workers and podiatrists.

To meet international recommendations, New Zealand would have to more than double the clinical workforce.

Most people with type 1 diabetes will be able to rapidly access the monitors because these can be prescribed through GPs as well as by diabetes specialists. However, insulin pumps and automated insulin delivery will only be accessible through specialists.

While insulin pumps offer advantages for managing glucose levels, learning to use the device takes time and requires support from clinicians. This will likely be a problem, particularly for those who already have challenges accessing healthcare services in this country.

An equity issue

Māori and Pacific people with type 1 diabetes are less likely to be current insulin pump users. This means there is a clear risk of workforce shortages causing those who would benefit most from automated insulin delivery to be among the last to have access.

Increasingly, evidence on continuous glucose monitors and automated insulin delivery shows they improve managing type 1 diabetes for everyone.

Monitor use has been shown to reduce the differences in the management of glucose levels between Māori and non-Māori children with type 1 diabetes.

Automated insulin delivery can also be an effective tool for children and adolescents with very high-risk glucose levels.

So, thank you Pharmac. Funded devices are a game changer. New Zealand has moved from an outdated, inequitable system of technology funding in type 1 diabetes to a progressive and fair system. But so much more needs to be done to support everyone with this disease.

Lynne Chepulis receives funding from the Health Research Council of New Zealand. She is an executive member of the New Zealand Society for the Study of Diabetes.

Hamish Crocket receives funding from the Health Research Council of New Zealand. He is an executive member of the New Zealand Society for the Study of Diabetes and is the chairperson of Nightscout New Zealand, a diabetes advocacy group. Hamish has been living with type one diabetes since 2013.

Martin de Bock receives funding from Novo Nordisk, Medtronic, Ypsomed, Dexcom, and Insulet. Honoraria, travel expenses or speaking fees from Novo Nordisk, Sanofi, Pfizer, Medtronic, Boerhinger Ingelheim, Ypsomed, Dexcom, and Insulet. Advisory Boards for Tandem and Dexcom, Tautoko Tech, Nascence biomedical.

– ref. Glucose monitors for diabetes have finally been funded – but a chronic workforce shortage will limit the benefits – https://theconversation.com/glucose-monitors-for-diabetes-have-finally-been-funded-but-a-chronic-workforce-shortage-will-limit-the-benefits-241113

MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

January 23, 2025
MIL-Evening Report: Social media footage reveals little-known ‘surfing’ whales in Australian waters

Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Vanessa Pirotta, Postdoctoral Researcher and Wildlife Scientist, Macquarie University

Sapphire Coastal Adventures

As humpback and southern right whales return to Antarctica at the tail end of their annual migration, east coast whale watchers may think the show will soon be over. But some whale species are still here, possibly year-round. And we need to find out more about them.

My team’s new research concerns one of these little-known species – the Bryde’s whale. You may have seen it feeding, breaching or surfing, without realising what it was.

My colleagues and I wanted to learn more about where Bryde’s whales can be found in Australian waters. So we tapped into observations shared on social media, including drone footage and photographs from whale-watching tours. We also gathered observations from scientists.

We discovered a wealth of information. It includes evidence of feeding and “surfing” behaviours possibly never documented before. Findings from this research will directly help inform conservation efforts to protect this species, which we still know so little about in Australian waters.

A Bryde’s whale rides the surf after feeding in shallow waters.
Taylor Arnell and Austin Ihle @takethemap

Observing whales through citizen science

Scientists can’t always be out in the field, or on the water. That’s why the data gathered by everyday people, known as “citizen scientists”, can be so useful. It captures valuable information about wildlife that can be used later by professional researchers.

Citizen science projects involving marine life have grown over recent years. They include people documenting humpback whale recovery by counting northward migrating humpback whales off Sydney, and people watching sharks off Bondi Beach via the @DroneSharkApp.

Hungry hungry whales

Like humpback whales, these giants are “baleen” whales, meaning they are toothless. But Bryde’s whales have a much pointier mouth and lack that famous hump.

A preference for warmer waters means Bryde’s whales are also known as tropical whales. They can be found in tropical or subtropical waters.

Around the world, Bryde’s whales have demonstrated interesting feeding behaviours, from high-speed seafloor chases to “pirouette feeding”.

Bryde’s whale in shallow waters near baitfish.
Taylor Arnell and Austin Ihle @takethemap.

Hanging out in shallow and deep waters

Our study documented Bryde’s whales feeding in both deep and shallow waters off the east coast of Australia, alone or sometimes with other whales.

We tapped into more than an hour of drone vision and more than 200 photos of Bryde’s whales shared by citizen scientists on social media platforms such as Facebook, Instagram and YouTube.

In offshore environments, Bryde’s whales were typically seen “side lunging” – where they propel themselves forward and turn onto their side then open their mouth to engulf their food. They also swam from below and scooped up their prey, much like humpback whales.

Lunging Bryde’s whale feeding on small baitfish in New South Wales waters.
Brett Dixon

In shallow waters, Bryde’s whales were observed feeding directly within or behind the surf break.

We believe this is a new feeding behaviour for this species. We call it “shallow water surf feeding”.

Whales may be using the surf to assist with their feeding efforts, or, perhaps they are there because that’s where the bait fish are hanging out.

Regardless, it’s impressive to see such a large whale in the surf and in shallow waters.

Spotted: mums with their calves

We also documented mothers with calves. This indicates some parts of the Australian east coast could possibly serve as an important area for nursing mothers with their young. They could also be using these waters for calving.

We don’t yet fully understand the species’ movements around Australia, and whether they swim in New Zealand waters. For example, the world-famous white humpback whale Migaloo has been known to swim across the Tasman Sea.

Bryde’s whale mother with calf in NSW waters escorted by dolphins.
Brett Dixon

Could these Bryde’s whales we see here in Australian waters be the same ones seen in New Zealand waters? Are they calving in New Zealand or Australia and moving between the two? If so, what does this mean for their protection?

Whales don’t recognise international boundaries. They go where they want, when they want. This is why collaborative research like this is important for our growing knowledge of this species.

The more we know, the better we can protect

This is the first dedicated paper on both the occurrence and feeding behaviour of Bryde’s whale in Australian waters.

As humans continue to expand our footprint in the ocean through activities such as offshore wind energy, shipping, fishing and tourism, knowledge of this species and others can help inform future decisions in our blue backyard.

Findings of this study will directly contribute to Australia’s efforts to protect whales. One immediate action will be contributing information to the federal review of Biological Important Areas for protected marine species. The more we know, the better we can target conservation efforts to provide for a species we know relatively little about in Australian waters.

And even though the humpbacks and southern rights are headed back south to Antarctica for the summer, it’s still worth keeping your eyes on the water. You might be the next person to spot a Bryde’s whale in Australian waters. Let us know if you do!

An example of shallow water surf feeding by a Bryde’s whale.
Taylor Arnell and Austin Ihle @takethemap

Vanessa Pirotta does not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organisation that would benefit from this article, and has disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.

– ref. Social media footage reveals little-known ‘surfing’ whales in Australian waters – https://theconversation.com/social-media-footage-reveals-little-known-surfing-whales-in-australian-waters-241347

MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

January 23, 2025
MIL-Evening Report: Mysterious black balls have washed up on Sydney’s Coogee beach. Are they the result of an oil spill, or something else?

Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Sharon Hook, Principal Research Scientist, CSIRO

Sydney’s popular Coogee beach has been closed until further notice after hundreds of strange black balls washed up on the shoreline.

The black balls were discovered on Tuesday afternoon.
Randwick City Council

The balls were discovered on Tuesday afternoon. The local authority, Randwick City Council, says samples have been collected for testing, and the incident has been reported to the Environment Protection Authority and Beachwatch NSW.

A council spokesperson said the debris may be “tar balls” formed when oil comes into contact with debris and water – typically the result of oil spills or seepage.

I am a senior research scientist at CSIRO, specialising in environmental toxicity. While the objects could be tar balls, in my view, it is also possible they are something else. But in any case, the debris poses a potential risk to marine life and the public, and authorities were right to close the beach.

What are tar balls?

Tar balls are typically dark, sticky blobs found on beaches after an oil spill. They occur when oil comes into contact with the ocean’s surface and becomes weathered by wind and waves. This breaks the oil patches into smaller pieces.

Tar balls usually form in a variety of shapes and sizes – ranging from big, flat pancakes to tiny spheres. The image below shows a typically irregular tar ball that washed up on an island in the United States.

Tarballs, such as this one found on Dauphin Island, Alabama, usually form in a variety of shapes and sizes.
NOAA

On this basis, I am not certain the pieces of debris found at Coogee are tar balls. They certainly might be. I haven’t seen them in person, but from the publicly available images, the objects appear to be relatively uniform, perfectly round shapes. That would be very unusual for tar balls – but not impossible.

The balls could be plastic debris washed off a container ship, such as squash balls or plastic used in manufacturing. But obviously, we have to wait until tests have been conducted on the objects before we can determine their origin and composition.

And finally, the balls appear to have washed up only at Coogee beach. It would be uncommon for oil spill remnants to drift to a single location unless the spill happened very close to shore.

What are the potential harms?

Whatever the objects are, they could pose a hazard to marine life.

If the objects are sticky or oily, they may coat animals that come into contact with them. An animal that ate the objects may also be harmed. The balls would be difficult to digest and might stay in the animal’s stomach for a long time, preventing it from eating other food.

If the objects are in fact tar balls, this is dangerous to animals because oil can be carcinogenic.

What should be done?

Every precaution should be taken until we know exactly what these mysterious objects are.

Authorities are doing the right thing in keeping people away from the beach as the cleanup and testing continue. The public should heed official advice not to enter the beach and especially, not to touch the spheres.

At this stage, it appears no other beach is affected, so there are plenty of other nearby options for beach-lovers.

In the meantime, we should let the forensic scientists and other experts do their job.

Sharon Hook does not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organisation that would benefit from this article, and has disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.

– ref. Mysterious black balls have washed up on Sydney’s Coogee beach. Are they the result of an oil spill, or something else? – https://theconversation.com/mysterious-black-balls-have-washed-up-on-sydneys-coogee-beach-are-they-the-result-of-an-oil-spill-or-something-else-241470

MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

January 23, 2025
MIL-OSI USA: Cantwell, Murray, Smith, Larsen Send Letter to Boeing, Unions

US Senate News:

Source: United States Senator for Washington Maria Cantwell
10.15.24
Cantwell, Murray, Smith, Larsen Send Letter to Boeing, Unions
SEATTLE, WA – Today, U.S. Senators Maria Cantwell (D-WA), chair of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation, and Patty Murray (D-WA), chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee, joined U.S. Representatives Adam Smith (D, WA-09), ranking member of the House Armed Services Committee, and Rick Larsen (D, WA-02), ranking member of the House Transportation & Infrastructure Committee, in calling for Boeing and the machinists unions to reach a mutually beneficial resolution to the month long strike.
The full text of the letter to Kelly Ortberg, president and chief executive officer of The Boeing Company, Jon Holden, IAM District 751 president, and Brandon Bryant, IAM District W24 president is HERE and below.
Dear Mr. Ortberg, Mr. Holden, and Mr. Bryant:
We are writing about the contract negotiations between the Boeing Company and the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers (IAM) Districts 751 and W24. With the machinist strike now lasting well over a month, and with no further talks currently scheduled, we urge you to redouble your efforts to reach a mutually beneficial resolution.
With over 42,000 single-aisle and wide body commercial aircraft projected to be manufactured over the next twenty years, valued at $8 trillion, now is the time to rebuild the historic partnership between management and workers in order to restore Boeing’s reputation for engineering and manufacturing excellence. This will require investing in next generation manufacturing techniques, innovative new materials, and providing workers with wages and benefits that acknowledge the essential and irreplaceable work they perform for the Company.
IAM 751 and W24 represent a vital workforce in the Pacific Northwest and for nearly a century have made it possible for Boeing to produce aircraft that fly millions of passengers each day, connecting communities and economies around the world. With these contributions in mind, we hope you will expeditiously work out a fair and durable deal that recognizes the importance of the machinist workforce to Boeing’s future, the aerospace economy of the Pacific Northwest, and the nation.
Thank you for your attention to this matter, we look forward to your timely response.

MIL OSI USA News –

January 23, 2025
MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: CE’s speech in delivering “The Chief Executive’s 2024 Policy Address” to LegCo (6)

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

V. Build Hong Kong into an International Hub for High‑calibre Talents(A) Co‑ordinate and Promote Integrated Development of Education, Technology and Talents103. Education nurtures our future, technology denotes our strength, and talents lead our development. The Government will set up the Committee on Education, Technology and Talents. Led by the Chief Secretary for Administration, the committee will co‑ordinate and drive the integrated development of education, technology and talents, expand connections, formulate policies to attract and cultivate talents, foster the development of technologies, and also promote Hong Kong as an international hub for high-calibre talents.(B) Attract Talents104. Hong Kong boasts five of the world’s top 100 universities and is an international hub for exchange and collaboration among high‑calibre talents.Trawl for Talents105. The Government implemented a new talent admission regime in late 2022. More than 380 000 applications have been received to date, and around 160 000 talents have arrived in Hong Kong with their families.106. In the next five years, there will be a projected shortage of around 180 000 workers across different sectors. To build a quality talent pool for development, we will reform various aspects of the talent admission regime, including:(i) updating the Talent List to include talents required for development of the “eight centres”;(ii) expanding the list of universities under the Top Talent Pass Scheme to 198 universities by adding 13 top Mainland and overseas universities, and extending the validity period of the first visa of high‑income talents under the scheme from two years to three years;(iii) enhancing the General Employment Policy and the Admission Scheme for Mainland Talents and Professionals, providing new channels to attract experienced specialists in specific skilled trades facing acute manpower shortage to come to Hong Kong. There will be a quota under the new arrangement;(iv) introducing a new mechanism under the Quality Migrant Admission Scheme, proactively inviting top‑notch talents to come to our city for development, promoting Hong Kong as the focal point of international high‑calibre talents; and(v) extending for two years the pilot arrangement of including graduates from the GBA campuses of Hong Kong universities under the Immigration Arrangements for Non‑local Graduates.Assist Talents in Pursuing Development in Hong Kong107. The HKTE will step up promotion of its online platforms to offer comprehensive information on salaries, taxation, education, visas and so on, in addition to providing personalised assistance. The HKTE will expand its network of collaborative partners and organise online and in‑person job fairs with industries and employer organisations, so that employers can directly match jobs with talents. It will also organise another international talent forum and conduct overseas promotion.Promote Development of an International Hub for Post-secondary EducationNurture Future Talents and Establish the “Study in Hong Kong” Brand108. The Government is committed to developing Hong Kong into an international hub for post‑secondary education. Relevant measures include:(i) incentivising more local students to pursue advanced studies – We will set up the Hong Kong Future Talents Scholarship Scheme for Advanced Studies, beginning in the 2025/26 academic year, offering scholarships each year to up to 1 200 local students enrolling in designated postgraduate programmes;(ii) creating the “Study in Hong Kong” brand – We will strive to host international education conferences and exhibitions. We will also encourage local post‑secondary institutions to enhance collaboration and exchange with their counterparts around the world in promoting the “Study in Hong Kong” brand on a global scale, and to attract more overseas students, especially those from ASEAN and other B&R countries, to study in our city through the provision of scholarships and other incentives; and(iii) improving hostel facilities – We will launch a pilot scheme to streamline the processing of application in relation to planning, lands and building plans, so as to encourage the market to convert hotels and other commercial buildings into student hostels on a self‑financing and privately‑funded basis, increasing the supply of student hostels. The Government will also make available suitable sites for the private sector to build new hostels, having regard to market demand. The Development Projects Facilitation Office under the Development Bureau (DEVB) will provide one‑stop advisory and facilitation services for these projects.Promote Quality Development of Self-financing Institutions109. We will introduce a bill next year to amend the Post Secondary Colleges Ordinance, to improve the regulatory and quality assurance mechanisms of self‑financing post‑secondary institutions.Develop the Northern Metropolis University Town110. The Government has earmarked over 80 hectares of land in the Northern Metropolis for the Northern Metropolis University Town, and will encourage local post‑secondary institutions to introduce more branded programmes, research collaboration and exchange projects with renowned Mainland and overseas institutions in a flexible and innovative manner. We will retain flexibility in the planning process to facilitate development of student hostels. We plan to publish the Northern Metropolis University Town Development Conceptual Framework in the first half of 2026.(C) Nurture TalentsPromote Multiple PathwaysAdvance the Development of Universities of Applied Sciences111. The Hong Kong Metropolitan University has been recognised as the first university of applied sciences (UAS) in Hong Kong. The UAS alliance will be established this year to, among other things, embark on joint promotion and strengthen collaboration with UASs around the world. The Government has allocated a start‑up fund of $100 million for the alliance.Expand Our Vocational Talent Pool112. The Government will build a campus for the newly established Hong Kong Institute of Information Technology, under the Vocational Training Council, and develop its Lift and Escalator Technology Centre.Promote STEAM Education in Primary and Secondary Schools113. The EDB will establish the Steering Committee on Strategic Development of Digital Education to promote digital education, renew the Junior Secondary Science Curriculum and provide support for teachers in using AI in teaching.Enhance Support for Schools, Teachers and Students114. The Government will allocate $2 billion to set up the Teacher Professional Development Fund to support the long‑term development of the teaching profession, and to enhance the training and exchange programmes for teachers. A provision of about $470 million will be allocated to enhance the learning and teaching of English, Putonghua and other languages. We will also strengthen support for students with special educational needs and continue to provide subsidies such as textbook assistance for students with financial needs.Expedite Youth Hostel Projects115. In response to our young people’s aspirations to have their own living space, the Government launched the Youth Hostel Scheme and expanded it two years ago by subsidising non‑governmental organisations (NGOs) to rent suitable hotels and guesthouses for use as youth hostels. We have also set up a task force to offer targeted support and technical advice, including providing relevant NGOs with assistance in negotiating with hotel owners to expedite agreements. The number of hostel places has now increased to about 3 000.Support Young People to Purchase Subsidised Sale Flats116. The HKHA will allocate an extra ballot number to young family applicants and one‑person applicants aged below 40 with White Form status for the purchase of Home Ownership Scheme (HOS) flats from the next HOS sale exercise onwards. Starting from the next White Form Secondary Market Scheme (WSM) exercise, the WSM quota will increase by 1 500, all of which will be allocated to young family applicants and one‑person applicants aged below 40.Strengthen Support for Youth Development117. We will create, among others, the “Youth Post” hostel and spaces for cultural and arts exchanges for youths in the Kai Tak Community Isolation Facility. We will also set up a physical platform for interaction in the Nam Cheong District Community Centre for “Youth Link” members. Communication with young people will be augmented through various means, including leveraging the new mobile application “HKYouth+” and other online media.118. To strengthen support for unleashing the potential of young people, the Government will establish a new interactive space and set up a video studio at the Youth Square. We will also launch a new round of the Funding Scheme for Youth Life Planning Activities to sponsor NGOs in providing enhanced services and strengthening national affairs content. The Hong Kong Jockey Club will contribute $300 million to support these initiatives.119. We will continue to promote the Mainland and overseas exchange and internship programmes and enhance the GBA Youth Employment Scheme by relaxing eligibility requirements to allow young people aged 29 or below with sub‑degree or higher qualifications to join the scheme, increasing the limit of monthly allowance granted to enterprises to $12,000, and exploring reciprocal arrangements.120. The Youth Employment and Training Programme will be refined and its Chinese title renamed, with the upper age limit for participants raised to 29. Additional workplace attachment opportunities will be provided in the GBA under the programme.(To be continued.)

MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

January 23, 2025
MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: CE’s speech in delivering “The Chief Executive’s 2024 Policy Address” to LegCo (5)

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

IV. Develop New Quality Productive Forces Tailored to Local Conditions

75. The core element of new quality productive forces is to achieve highâ€‘quality economic development through technological empowerment. Hong Kong is striving to become an international innovation and technology (I&T) centre by promoting the upgrading and transformation of traditional industries while actively nurturing emerging ones. We will spare no effort in developing new quality productive forces tailored to local conditions.

(A) International I&T Centre

Optimise the Strategy and Institutional Set-up for the Development of New Industrialisation

76. We will draw up a medium to longâ€‘term development plan for new industrialisation in Hong Kong. We will also press ahead with the establishment of the Hong Kong New Industrialisation Development Alliance to promote closer collaboration among the Government and the industry, academia, research and investment sectors, building a coâ€‘operative platform for new industrialisation in Hong Kong. This includes providing more financing opportunities and fostering I&T coâ€‘operation between newlyâ€‘listed companies in Hong Kong and local universities.

Establish the Third InnoHK Research Cluster

77. The InnoHK research clusters have become home to about 2â€¯500 research and development (R&D) personnel from Hong Kong and around the world. The Government has already started preparatory work to establish the third InnoHK research cluster, which will focus on advanced manufacturing, materials, energy and sustainable development. The target is to attract worldâ€‘class R&D teams to collaborate with local institutions, promoting R&D and bringing in talents.

Increase Research Funding

78. The Government will launch a new round of Research Matching Grant Scheme totalling $1.5 billion to attract more organisations to support research endeavours of institutions.

Increase Investment for I&T Industries

79. We will increase investment and guide more market capital to invest in I&T industries, reflecting a revamped approach of Government in this. Relevant measures include:

(i) setting up a $10 billion I&T Industryâ€‘Oriented Fundâ€¯–â€¯We will set up a fundâ€‘ofâ€‘funds to channel more market capital to invest in specified emerging and future industries of strategic importance, including life and health technology, AI and robotics, semiâ€‘conductors and smart devices, advanced materials and new energy. The goal is to systematically build an I&T ecosystem;

(ii) optimising the Innovation and Technology Venture Fundâ€¯–â€¯We will redeploy $1.5 billion to set up funds jointly with the market, on a matching basis, investing in startâ€‘ups of strategic industries, to further enhance Hong Kong’s startâ€‘up ecosystem; and

(iii) maximising the impact of the HKIC as “patient capital”â€¯–â€¯The HKIC will continue to attract I&T enterprises to establish their presence and settle in Hong Kong by channelling and leveraging market capital.

Attract International Start-up Accelerators to Establish a Presence in Hong Kong

80. The Government will launch the I&T Accelerator Pilot Scheme with a funding allocation of $180 million at a oneâ€‘toâ€‘two matching ratio between the Government and the institution, up to a subsidy ceiling of $30 million. The Scheme aims to attract professional startâ€‘up service providers with proven track records in and beyond Hong Kong to set up accelerator bases in Hong Kong, fostering the robust growth of startâ€‘ups.

Develop the Low-altitude Economy

81. Lowâ€‘altitude economy, which refers to economic activities in airspace below 1â€¯000 metres, presents a wide array of application scenarios including rescues, surveys and delivery of goods and passengers. Formulating a management system for lowâ€‘altitude economy will help drive development in areas such as telecommunication technologies, AI and the digital industry, unlocking the lowâ€‘altitude airspace as a new production factor for our economy.

82. The Government will establish the Working Group on Developing Lowâ€‘altitude Economy. Led by the Deputy Financial Secretary, it will formulate development strategies and interâ€‘departmental action plans, starting with projects on lowâ€‘altitude applications. It will designate specific venues for such purposes, draw up regulations and design the institutional set-up, and study and map out plans to develop the required infrastructure and networks. Relevant measures include:

(i) exploring lowâ€‘altitude flying application scenariosâ€¯–â€¯We will press ahead with pilot projects and designate venues to explore deploying drones for delivery, surveys, building maintenance, aerial photography, performances, search and rescue, and other possibilities;

(ii) amending relevant regulationsâ€¯–â€¯This includes relaxing restrictions on beyondâ€‘lineâ€‘ofâ€‘sight flying activities, as well as those on weight and loading of drones, encouraging market research and investment, facilitating technology tests and developing aerial tours;

(iii) promoting interface with the Mainlandâ€¯–â€¯We will explore with the Mainland authorities the joint establishment of lowâ€‘altitude crossâ€‘boundary air routes, immigration and customs clearance arrangements and supporting infrastructure; and

(iv) studying and planning for lowâ€‘altitude infrastructureâ€¯–â€¯In the long run, we need a highly effective, intelligent and digitalised lowâ€‘altitude infrastructure system for the realâ€‘time management on networks of lowâ€‘altitude activities. It will strategise solutions for complex management and safety issues arising from such activities. The working group will embark on technical studies and planning of support facilities for lowâ€‘altitude activities (such as vertiports and charging stations), communications network, air route network, management of lowâ€‘altitude flying activities and so on to lay the foundation for the low altitude economy.

Promote Development of Communications Technology

83. Low Earth Orbit (LEO) satellites are less costly than traditional ones. The Government will conduct a study on streamlining the vetting procedures of licence applications for operating LEO satellites. The Government will also make available more suitable radio spectrum to the market in a timely manner.

Advance R&D of Aerospace Science and Technology

84. Hong Kong’s research teams have been actively engaged in R&D of aerospace science and technology. This year, a Hong Kong resident was selected as a preparatory astronaut. We are very grateful for our country’s support for Hong Kong in developing aerospaceâ€‘related technologies. The Government will set up a research centre under the InnoHK research cluster to participate in the Chang’Eâ€‘8 mission, contributing to national aerospace development.

Promote Development of New Energy

85. The Government will earmark around $750 million under the New Energy Transport Fund to subsidise the taxi trade and franchised bus companies to purchase electric vehicles, and launch the Subsidy Scheme for Trials of Hydrogen Fuel Cell Electric Heavy Vehicles.

86. We will further promote the development of new energy by:

(i) setting a target for sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) consumptionâ€¯–â€¯We will speed up the reduction of carbon emissions by the aviation industry and cater to the increasing demand of international airlines for SAF;

(ii) developing SAF and green maritime fuel supply chainsâ€¯–â€¯We will formulate the longâ€‘term plan for industry development in respect of fuel supply and demand, storage and bunkering; and

(iii) promoting green and low carbon hydrogen energyâ€¯–â€¯We will actively support the industry to establish a solarâ€‘toâ€‘hydrogen facility for demonstration, introduce a bill next year to ensure the safe use of hydrogen fuel, and formulate the approach of hydrogen standard certification suitable to Hong Kong.

(B) Regional Intellectual Property Trading Centre

87. Hong Kong’s intellectual property (IP)â€‘intensive industries accounted for about 30% of our Gross Domestic Product and of total employment respectively. We will strengthen our position as a regional IP trading centre by expanding the IP trading ecosystem of the I&T sector and creative industries.

Enhance the Legislative Framework for IP

88. The Government will strengthen protection for the products of innovation and creativity yielded by R&D efforts. Measures include putting forward a proposal next year to enhance the Copyright Ordinance regarding the protection for AI technology development, launching a consultation in 2025 on the registered designs regime currently under review, and proposing legislative amendments to streamline IP litigation processes for the High Court to manage and hear these cases more effectively.

89. Next year, the Trade Marks Registry under the Intellectual Property Department (IPD) will launch a new AIâ€‘assisted image search service to facilitate the public’s search of the trademark database.

90. With the Central Government’s support, Hong Kong will participate in the World Intellectual Property Organization Lexâ€‘Judgments Database next year, sharing important IP case precedents of local courts, to showcase to the international community the quality of our IPâ€‘related judicial judgments.

Strengthen Training of IP Talents

91. The Government will continue to discuss with the patent agent sector and stakeholders to plan for the introduction of regulatory arrangements for local patent agent services, covering qualification, registration, and other areas, aiming to nurture professional talents and enhance service quality.

92. The IPD will collaborate with the Qualifications Framework Secretariat to develop practical teaching materials for deployment by training providers, benefitting personnel across 23 different industries.

(C) International Health and Medical Innovation Hub

93. To expedite patients’ access to advanced diagnostic and treatment services, and to foster new quality productive forces in biomedical technology, the Government will complement technological innovation with institutional innovation, developing Hong Kong into an international health and medical innovation hub.

Reform the Approval Mechanism for Drugs and Medical Devices

94. The Government will expedite the reform of the approval mechanism for drugs and medical devices, including:

(i) extending the “1+” mechanism to all new drugs, including vaccines and advanced therapy products, and improving the approval mechanism to speed up registration, facilitating good drugs for use in Hong Kong;

(ii) devising the timetable for the Hong Kong Centre for Medical Products Regulation and the roadmap towards adoption of “primary evaluation”, as well as formulating strategies and measures to facilitate R&D of drugs and medical devices; and

(iii) taking forward preparatory work for legislating for the statutory regulation of medical devices.

Strengthen Biomedical Technology R&D and Translation

95. The Government will enhance Hong Kong’s clinical trial capability on all fronts and facilitate the translation of innovative biomedical research results into clinical applications by:

(i) joining hands with Shenzhen to establish the GBA Clinical Trial Collaboration Platform, extending the R&D network and expediting clinical trials;

(ii) establishing the Realâ€‘World Study and Application Centre to open up local health and medical databases and promote coâ€‘operation between Hong Kong and Shenzhen to integrate data generated from the “special measure of using Hong Kongâ€‘registered drugs and medical devices used in Hong Kong public hospitals in GBA”. This will accelerate approval for registration of new drugs in Hong Kong, the Mainland and overseas; and

(iii) supporting R&D, clinical trials and application of advanced biomedical technology in Hong Kong, attracting global topâ€‘notch innovative enterprises and research organisations to set up operations in Hong Kong.

(D) Promote Integrated Development of Digital Economy and Real Economy

96. A robust system to promote integration of real economy and digital economy is one of the key drivers of new quality productive forces. The Government will expedite the development of digital economy, which includes accelerating the digital transformation of industries, strengthening digital infrastructure, exploring development of a dataâ€‘trading ecosystem, and exploring on a pilot basis facilitation arrangements for crossâ€‘boundary data flow within the GBA.

Accelerate Development of Digital Trade

97. The Government will push forward reforms in the digitalisation of enterprises and trade. Measures include fostering participation in discussions among the international community about the development of digital economy and exploring the inclusion of relevant provisions in bilateral trade agreements during the negotiation process, with a view to promoting digital trade and crossâ€‘boundary eâ€‘commerce.

98. The Commerce and Economic Development Bureau is developing the Trade Single Window to provide a oneâ€‘stop electronic platform. It will help the industry lodge import and export trade documents for trade declaration and customs clearance. Separately, the HKMA has established a working group to conduct an inâ€‘depth study into the changes in future supply chains and make recommendations. The scope of study covers promoting the digitalisation of trade through areas such as talents and financial infrastructure, as well as the technology and legal framework, with the goal to lower trade cost and upgrade the trade ecosystem.

Establish a New Fintech Innovation Ecosystem

99. The Government will continue to promote the development of innovative financial services including Central Bank Digital Currencies (CBDCs), mobile payment, virtual banks, virtual insurance and virtual asset (VA) transactions. The FSTB will shortly issue a policy statement, setting out its policy stance regarding the application of AI in the financial market. Other measures include:

(i) promoting the use of CBDCs for crossâ€‘boundary paymentâ€¯–â€¯The HKMA is actively testing and exploring more addâ€‘on technology solutions and use cases related to crossâ€‘boundary trade settlement on the mBridge platform, and will further widen the participation of both the public and private sectors;

(ii) enhancing the regulation of VA tradingâ€¯–â€¯The FSTB will complete the second round public consultation on the regulatory proposals for overâ€‘theâ€‘counter trading of VA and put forward a proposed licensing regime for VA custodian service providers;

(iii) promoting realâ€‘world asset tokenisation and developing a digital money ecosystemâ€¯–â€¯The HKMA is taking forward Project Ensemble, a financial market infrastructure project, to explore the application of realâ€‘world asset tokenisation and the use of digital money for interbank settlement, facilitating the development of the relevant asset trading. Separately, the HKMA also allows potential stablecoin issuers to test business plans and useâ€‘cases through the stablecoin issuer sandbox, and will work with the FSTB to introduce a bill on the regulation of fiatâ€‘referenced stablecoin issuers later this year; and

(iv) promoting the development of the digital securities marketâ€¯–â€¯The HKMA will soon launch the Digital Bond Grant Scheme to encourage more financial institutions and issuers to adopt tokenisation technology in capital market transactions.

Facilitate Cross-boundary E-commerce Logistics Services

100. To develop Hong Kong into a crossâ€‘boundary eâ€‘commerce logistics and distribution centre, the Government will review existing procedures to enhance the efficiency of crossâ€‘boundary goods’ distribution, strengthening the competitiveness of our city.

Promote Smart Construction and Management of Public Rental Housing Estates

101. The Hong Kong Housing Authority (HKHA) has selected 10 Public Rental Housing (PRH) estates as pilot sites for smart estate management. Next year, it will establish a central platform for property management and introduce digital technologies in daily estate management work, enhancing management effectiveness and service quality. The HKHA will also progressively apply the Project Information Management and Analytics Platform in new public housing projects starting next year, enhancing works efficiency by project management digitalisation and adopting threeâ€‘dimensional digital maps and virtual digital models, etc.

Promote LawTech

102. The DoJ will set up the Advisory Group on Promoting the Development of LawTech to formulate policies and measures on LawTech and promote its application in relevant sectors.

(To be continued.)

MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

January 23, 2025
MIL-OSI Australia: Feeling sleepy and worried about your mental alertness?

Source: University of South Australia

16 October 2024

At some point, many of us have experienced the post-lunch sleepy hour, struggling to stay alert mid-afternoon, and reaching for the water bottle to rehydrate a tired body.

But what about those people who suffer from “excessive daytime somnolence”, aka sleepiness that lasts throughout the day?

It’s a recognised medical condition that is normally diagnosed by a doctor after a full-day hospital procedure, undergoing what is called the Multiple Wakefulness Test (MWT).

Now, researchers from the University of South Australia have identified a new, brain-based measure of sleepiness that may provide a diagnosis in just two minutes.

Electrodes attached to the scalp in the form of an electroencephalogram (EEG) measure the electrical activity of the brain and this activity can determine the length of time it takes an individual to fall asleep.

In a separate, recent paper published in Brain Research, lead researcher, UniSA neuroscientist Dr Alex Chatburn, says that using new EEG markers linked to biological processes could predict whether someone is safe enough to drive, operate machinery, or even have the mental capacity to sit an exam.

“Sleepiness is a critical biological signal that indicates the body’s need for sleep, yet measuring this state in humans remains elusive,” Dr Chatburn says.

“While EEG technology has long been used to study brain activity during sleep, traditional markers face significant limitations and don’t tell the whole story. They don’t reflect the underlying biological processes, whereas our method tracks neuronal excitability, corresponding with the brain’s sleep-wake processes.”

Dr Chatburn says the research has wide-ranging implications.

“A better understanding of sleepiness could not only advance scientific knowledge, but also provide practical benefits for managing sleep disorders like insomnia, sleep apnoea or other disorders where individuals experience disrupted sleep but do not feel sleepy.

“These findings could also inform workplace safety, where detecting and managing sleepiness could prevent accidents in industries that demand high levels of attention.”

The team are presenting their findings at the Sleep DownUnder 2024 conference in the Gold Coast this week.

…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

Media contact: Candy Gibson M: +61 434 605 142 E: candy.gibson@unisa.edu.au
Researcher contact: Dr Alex Chatburn E: alex.chatburn@unisa.edu.au

Other articles you may be interested in

MIL OSI News –

January 23, 2025
MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: CE’s speech in delivering “The Chief Executive’s 2024 Policy Address” to LegCo (7)

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

VI. Promote Integrated Development of Culture, Sports and Tourism and Foster Economic Diversification

(A) Eastâ€‘meetsâ€‘West Centre for International Cultural Exchange and Integrated Development of Culture, Sports and Tourism

121. The currentâ€‘term Government set up the Culture, Sports and Tourism Bureau (CSTB) to consolidate the integrated development of culture, the creative industry, sports and tourism. To enhance Hong Kong’s role as the Eastâ€‘meetsâ€‘West centre for international cultural exchange, the Government strives to deepen the institutional reform of our cultural system, improve the cultural and economic policies, and further enhance our cultural confidence.

Enhance Cultural Soft Power and Promote Development of Cultural and Creative Industries

122. The CSTB consulted the arts and cultural community last year on the formulation of the Blueprint for Arts and Culture and Creative Industries Development. The blueprint will cover four major development directions: promoting the development of diverse arts and culture with an international perspective, promoting Chinese culture, fostering arts and cultural exchange between China and the rest of the world, and driving industry development. The CSTB will consult the Culture Commission shortly and promulgate the blueprint later this year.

123. Established in June, the Cultural and Creative Industries Development Agency adopts an industryâ€‘oriented approach to promote the development of the cultural and creative industries. Relevant measures include:

(i) incubating more cultural and creative projects with potential for industrialisation through the CreateSmart Initiative and strengthening crossâ€‘sectoral collaboration and leveraging market resources, facilitating the industries to explore business opportunities;

(ii) facilitating more registration of local and nonâ€‘local cultural and creative products on the Asia IP Exchange Portal to foster crossâ€‘sectoral exchange, collaboration and business matching, and promoting transactions and transformation of cultural IP; and

(iii) making the new flagship Hong Kong Fashion Design Week an annual signature event to develop Hong Kong into a fashion design hub in Asia.

Strengthen Long-term Industry Development in the West Kowloon Cultural District

124. The West Kowloon Cultural District (WKCD) is one of the largest arts and cultural projects in the world. The WKCD Authority will take a leading role in establishing an industry chain for the arts and culture and creative industries of Hong Kong, driving cultural and creative tourism, and enhancing its financial sustainability through diverse and innovative industrialisation measures, including:

(i) further building Hong Kong’s strengths in arts tradingâ€¯–â€¯Promote the creation of a comprehensive arts trading ecosystem, and build storage, restoration and exhibition facilities for highâ€‘end private art collections;

(ii) promoting the WKCD as a prime destination for major international cultural, creative and commercial eventsâ€¯–â€¯With more than 20 venues for different kinds of mega events, the WKCD Authority will step up efforts to host more major international cultural, creative and commercial events, attracting more inbound visitors and stimulating local spending;

(iii) exporting more arts, cultural and creative projectsâ€¯–â€¯Organise and curate performing arts programmes and exhibitions to be staged as longâ€‘run events locally, in the Mainland and overseas on a commercial basis, and expand the sales channels for cultural and creative merchandise; and

(iv) branding the WKCD as a mustâ€‘visit landmark for cultural and creative tourismâ€¯–â€¯Roll out more special experience activities, and step up worldwide promotion in collaboration with the Hong Kong Tourism Board (HKTB) to bring in more tourists.

Promote Sports Development and Build Hong Kong into a Centre for Mega International Sports Events

125. In recent years, Hong Kong athletes have achieved outstanding results in international competitions. Hong Kong has abundant resources and support. With our soonâ€‘toâ€‘complete new landmark Kai Tak Sports Park (KTSP), and our coâ€‘hosting of the 15th National Games with Guangdong and Macao late next year, our city has unrivaled advantages for developing itself into a platform for international sports activities. The Government will continue to foster sports development by promoting sports in the community, supporting elite sports, maintaining Hong Kong as a centre for major international sports events, enhancing professionalism, and developing sports as an industry. Relevant measures include:

(i) enhancing the development of elite athletes and coachesâ€¯–â€¯The Government has invited the Hong Kong Sports Institute to review the mechanism of direct financial support for athletes (including athletes with disabilities) to enhance the training system, and has set up a committee to oversee the development of sports medicine and sports science. The Government will also strengthen training for coaches, and explore the feasibility of establishing a standardised accreditation system for coaches;

(ii) boosting sports promotion in the communityâ€¯–â€¯Provide more sports and recreational facilities, including building a swimming complex suitable for hosting international competitions and a sports arena with fencing training and competition facilities. We will also regularise the Pilot Scheme on Subvention for New Sports;

(iii) reforming the governance of national sports associations (NSAs)â€¯– The Sports Federation and Olympic Committee of Hong Kong, China will conclude its review on the governance and operation of NSAs, and make recommendations, ensuring the NSAs are operating effectively so that athletes (including athletes with disabilities) can realise their potential in a fair and professional environment; and

(iv) developing a host city economy in the sports industryâ€¯–â€¯The Government will continue to support athletes to participate in different largeâ€‘scale international competitions. We will make full use of the KTSP and other existing venues to host largeâ€‘scale international competitions so that Hong Kong teams can compete on home soil, building their own audience. These will be conducive to the longâ€‘term development of the sports industry.

126. The Government will review the redevelopment plan for the Hong Kong Stadium to ensure its synergy with the KTSP.

Develop Kai Tak Sports Park into a Sports and Mega Event Landmark

127. Opening in the first quarter of 2025, the KTSP is the largest sports infrastructure project ever commissioned in Hong Kong. It will boost sports development and inject impetus into related industries such as recreation, entertainment and tourism, and also megaâ€‘event economy.

128. The interâ€‘departmental Task Force on KTSP, led by the Chief Secretary for Administration, will ramp up efforts in overseeing the smooth completion and commissioning of the KTSP and its publicity work, fostering the synergistic development of major sports events, innovative entertainment, dining, conventions and exhibitions, as well as tourism activities. The task force will also formulate thorough plans and conduct comprehensive drills on security deployment, crowd management, emergency response, and other areas.

Enhance Cultural Confidence and Revitalise Hong Kong’s Tourism Industry

129. We will develop Hong Kong into a premier tourism destination through innovative thinking and making better use of our rich and unique resources such as the Victoria Harbour, outlying islands, rural areas, cultures, cuisines, lifestyles and historic buildings. These elements, combined with our edges in technology, animation and comics, the performing arts, film and television culture, and more, will help to instill the concept of “tourism is everywhere in Hong Kong”.

130. The CSTB will publish the Development Blueprint for Hong Kong’s Tourism Industry 2.0 (Blueprint 2.0) later this year, with the focus on promoting culture, sports, ecology and mega events, covering such areas as:

(i) developing ecoâ€‘tourismâ€¯–â€¯We will explore more itineraries with characteristics related to the countryside and coastal routes, such as islandâ€‘hopping tours in Yan Chau Tong, and enhance related amenities; expedite the development of the South Lantau Ecoâ€‘recreation Corridor; develop the exâ€‘Lamma Quarry site into an area for resort and outdoor recreational uses; and develop Tsim Bei Tsui and Pak Nai into ecoâ€‘tourism nodes;

(ii) developing visitor sources from the Middle East and ASEANâ€¯–â€¯We will actively encourage various sectors of the community to enhance tourismâ€‘support measures for creating a friendly environment for visitors. They include providing information at the airport in Arabic and encouraging taxi fleets to provide fleet service information in Arabic; compiling a list of restaurants offering halal food; encouraging more commercial establishments to provide appropriate facilities, such as worship facilities in hotels; and stepping up staff training to strengthen their knowledge on receiving visitors from different cultural backgrounds;

(iii) developing tourism products with characteristicsâ€¯–â€¯We will promote yacht tourism in the expansion area of Aberdeen Typhoon Shelter, the exâ€‘Lamma Quarry area and the development of the waterfront site in the vicinity of the Hung Hom Station. We will also promote panda tourism, horse racing tourism, and the like. The CSTB will promote cultural and ecoâ€‘tourism itineraries and products at Sha Tau Kok. The Security Bureau (SB) will increase the daily visitor quota under the Sha Tau Kok openingâ€‘up plan to 3â€¯000 by the end of this year. Facial recognition technology will be adopted to enable people living or working at Chung Ying Street to enter and leave the street unimpededly via a “contactless” mode on a pilot basis. The SB will explore the application of relevant technology to complement the future opening up of Chung Ying Street for tourism;

(iv) developing megaâ€‘event tourism economyâ€¯–â€¯The Mega Events Coordination Group, led by the Deputy Financial Secretary, will continue to take a proactive role in attracting different mega events to Hong Kong with emphasis on quality and quantity, boosting the retail and hotel industries. We will drive the development of the site above the Exhibition Station in Wan Chai North, as well as the waterfront and pier sites in the vicinity of the Hung Hom Station, into new landmarks providing additional event venues;

(v) strengthening the appeal of traditional tourismâ€¯–â€¯The HKTB will draw up a gourmet guide covering the 18 districts, organise gastronomic events, and promote gourmet food in different districts. The CSTB will publish the action plan on the development of cruise tourism, alongside the Blueprint 2.0, to enhance the Kai Tak Cruise Terminal’s role as a homeport and a venue for conventions, exhibitions and other events; and

(vi) promoting smart tourism and enhancing service quality of the tourism industryâ€¯–â€¯The HKTB will strengthen its efforts in developing and promoting tourism products with Hong Kong characteristics to both locals and visitors, making use of technologies such as AI to provide oneâ€‘stop assistance and attraction recommendations. We will also launch a new outstanding services award scheme to consolidate our hospitable culture.

Develop New Tourist Hotspots

131. The Government will set up a Working Group on Developing Tourist Hotspots. Led by the Deputy Chief Secretary for Administration, it will strengthen cross departmental coâ€‘ordination and leverage community efforts, identifying and developing tourist hotspots of high popularity and with strong appeal in various districts.

Increase Tourist Arrivals

132. The HKSAR Government has proposed to the Central Government further enhancements on Mainland residents’ tourism visit endorsements to Hong Kong, including resuming the “multipleâ€‘entry” Individual Visit Endorsements for Shenzhen residents and expanding the coverage of pilot cities for implementing policies on the “one trip per week” Individual Visit Endorsements. The Central Government has advised that relevant departments are studying the expedited implementation of the proposal proactively.

133. To foster closer people ties with ASEAN countries, starting today, the Government will relax the criteria for nationals of Cambodia, Laos and Myanmar applying for multipleâ€‘entry visas for travel and business, and extend the validity period of multipleâ€‘entry visas for these countries from two years to three years. The arrangement also applies to Vietnamese, who have benefitted from the relaxation of the visa policy since last year. Under a fastâ€‘track arrangement, we will expedite the processing of visa applications from group visitors of ASEAN countries submitted via local travel agents. In addition, we will provide selfâ€‘service immigration clearance for invited persons participating in business, development and related activities from the 10 ASEAN countries, and provide oneâ€‘stop handling of their applications for selfâ€‘service immigration clearance and visa through a dedicated desk. Various bureaux will provide assistance in drawing up the list. Effective today, the requirement for visitors to furnish an arrival or departure card is cancelled, facilitating a faster and more convenient immigration clearance.

(B) Foster Economic Diversification

Support Small and Medium Enterprises

134. To address the challenges commonly encountered by small and medium enterprises (SMEs) during economic restructuring, the Government will introduce the following support measures:

(i) reâ€‘launching the principal moratoriumâ€¯–â€¯Borrowing enterprises under the SME Financing Guarantee Scheme (including the existing loans already granted under the 80%, 90% and special 100% guarantee products as well as new loans under the 80% and 90% guarantee products) will be allowed to apply for principal moratorium for up to 12 months. The maximum loan guarantee periods of the 80% and 90% guarantee products will be extended to ten years and eight years respectively, while the partial principal repayment options will be offered to new loans under the two guarantee products. The HKMA is also actively considering to provide flexibility in banks’ capital requirement to facilitate their lending to SMEs;

(ii) injecting $1 billion into the BUD Fundâ€¯–â€¯Support will be provided for SMEs to upgrade their business operations and develop new markets through the Dedicated Fund on Branding, Upgrading and Domestic Sales (the BUD Fund), including expanding the geographical coverage of Eâ€‘commerce Easy to the 10 ASEAN countries, and providing targeted funding support for enterprises to implement green transformation projects;

(iii) supporting digital transformation of SMEs and capitalising on eâ€‘commerce opportunitiesâ€¯–â€¯The scope of Cyberport’s Digital Transformation Support Pilot Programme will be expanded to cover the retail and food and beverage sectors, as well as industries such as tourism and personal services, subsidising SMEs for digital transformation on a oneâ€‘toâ€‘one matching basis. The Hong Kong Shopping Festival is to be relaunched in the next two years to help SMEs tap into the Mainland eâ€‘commerce sales market, and will be held in the ASEAN market in due course;

(iv) strengthening brand development of SMEsâ€¯–â€¯The HKTDC will formulate plans for setting up more Hong Kong Pavilions in Mainland and overseas exhibitions to further promote Hong Kong brands. The Trade and Industry Department and the HKTDC will also enhance support for SMEs in developing brands and expanding the sales network of eâ€‘commerce;

(v) enhancing the services of the Hong Kong Design Centreâ€¯–â€¯The organisation and functions of the Hong Kong Design Centre will be reâ€‘structured, so as to assist SMEs in the design industry to enhance their services in product and brand design, and strengthen collaboration and interface with startâ€‘ups and Mainland enterprises operating in Hong Kong;

(vi) enhancing incentives for recurrent exhibitionsâ€¯–â€¯An additional provision of $500 million will be allocated for launching the Incentive Scheme for Recurrent Exhibitions 2.0, targeting new and international exhibitions of large scale, in order to further promote megaâ€‘event economy and the development of the convention and exhibition industry;

(vii) supporting participation in government procurementâ€¯–â€¯The HKHA will refine the application procedures for admission to the list of maintenance works contractors, providing more tendering opportunities for contractors; and

(viii) enhancing security of payment in the construction industryâ€¯–â€¯The Government has introduced the Construction Industry Security of Payment Bill, which prohibits the use of unfair payment terms such as “conditional payment” in contracts and introduces an adjudication mechanism to resolve payment disputes.

Develop Silver Economy

135. Given the rapid expansion of the silver market, there is growing demand for products and services catering to the elderly. Developing new products and services to meet the needs of the elderly will help enhance their quality of life, and also generate business opportunities.

136. The Government will set up a Working Group on Promoting Silver Economy, led by the Deputy Chief Secretary for Administration. The working group will implement measures in five areas:

(i) boosting “silver consumption”â€¯–â€¯We will work with all sectors to foster elderlyâ€‘friendly consumption, and encourage incorporation of silver economy elements into their business, for example, by offering discounts to the elderly. Efforts will also be made to safeguard the rights and interests of elderly consumers;

(ii) developing the “silver industry”â€¯–â€¯We will promote marketisation and industrialisation of products catering to the elderly by consolidating funding resources to support product provision and market expansion by the business sector;

(iii) promoting “quality assurance of silver products”â€¯–â€¯We will promote the certification of products catering to the elderly to enhance their recognition and appeal. Standards adopted will be aligned with those of the Mainland and overseas to facilitate sales network expansion;

(iv) enhancing “silver financial and security arrangements”â€¯–â€¯We will assist the elderly in making proper financial arrangements and strengthening their financial security. Relevant measures include promoting retirement financial planning products offered by the Hong Kong Mortgage Corporation Limited, and providing investor education for the elderly; and

(v) unleashing “silver productivity”â€¯–â€¯We will help unleash the productivity of the elderly through retraining, reâ€‘employment and other measures.

Promote Sustainable Development of the Agriculture and Fisheries Industries

137. The Government will continue to take forward the Blueprint for the Sustainable Development of Agriculture and Fisheries. Relevant work includes developing deep sea mariculture at Wong Chuk Kok Hoi and Mirs Bay new fish culture zones, conducting preparatory work for the Agricultural Park Phase 2 development, implementing urban farming strategy in NDAs, facilitating the livestock sector to construct modernised and environmentalâ€‘friendly multiâ€‘storey livestock farms and promoting leisure farming and fisheries.

(To be continued.)

MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

January 23, 2025
MIL-Evening Report: Claims that Qantas is greenwashing build a case for carbon assurance: here’s what it is

Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Md Safiullah (Safi), Senior Lecturer in Finance, RMIT University

ChristianChan/Shutterstock

Qantas is being taken to Australia’s consumer regulator over its claim it is committed to achieving net zero emissions by 2050.

The Environmental Defenders Office and the advocacy group Climate Integrity say the claim is “not backed up by credible targets or substantiating strategies” making it potentially misleading and in breach of the Australian Consumer Law.

The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission has yet to decide whether to investigate the complaint, and Qantas has yet to respond.

The complaint follows a ruling by a Dutch Court earlier this year that the airline KLM had misled consumers by creating the false impression it was sustainable.

The win has spurred the European Commission to write to 20 airlines identifying potentially misleading claims and inviting them to bring their practices in line.

Of most concern to the European regulators are claims the carbon emissions caused by flights can be offset by climate projects and the use of sustainable fuels, to which the consumers can contribute by paying additional fees.

Carbon assurance assesses claims ahead of time

These kinds of complaints would be much easier for airlines (and other compnies) to deal with if they had submitted themselves to a process known as carbon assurance ahead of time.

Usually entered into voluntarily, and conducted by an independent assessor in accordance with an international standard, the process verifies the accuracy, transparency, and credibility of an organisation’s carbon emissions claims.

My own research with Linh Nguyen, just published in Finance Research Letters, finds firms with high carbon assurance scores are more likely to obtain more trade credit from their suppliers.

Europe and Australia are moving towards making carbon assurance mandatory for large corporations.

Few firms submit themselves to it

A survey by KPMG International finds that while nearly all of the world’s 250 largest firms report on the sustainability of their operations, only two-thirds submit themselves to carbon assurance.

Another survey of 5,183 companies from 42 countries that publish emissions data finds half don’t engage a carbon assuror.

This could be because they are afraid of what the assuror will find.

An international survey of 750 companies that sought some level of external assurance found just 14% received a reasonable assurance.

Many firms aren’t ready

Assessors are hard to find.
NattapongPunna/Shutterstock

Assurors, and the skills within the organisation to handle the process are hard to find. While international standards are in place, there isn’t yet a professional or regulatory body to certify assurors.

The Australian government intends to make assurance reports for the
Scope 1 and Scope 2 emissions of large firms mandatory from July 2026.

Scope 1 and scope 2 emissions are the direct and indirect emissions of the corporation itself.

The government intends to make Scope 3 emissions (those in other parts of the corporation’s supply and distribution chain) mandatory from July 2030.

It will be important to get the systems in place.

While what the firms report will matter a lot, what will matter almost as much is an assurance we can believe what they report.

Md Safiullah (Safi) does not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organisation that would benefit from this article, and has disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.

– ref. Claims that Qantas is greenwashing build a case for carbon assurance: here’s what it is – https://theconversation.com/claims-that-qantas-is-greenwashing-build-a-case-for-carbon-assurance-heres-what-it-is-239592

MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

January 23, 2025
MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: CE’s speech in delivering “The Chief Executive’s 2024 Policy Address” to LegCo (8)

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

VII. Take Forward the Northern Metropolis as Growth Engine and Deepen GBA Collaboration(A) Take Forward Development of the Northern Metropolis138. The Northern Metropolis is the new engine of Hong Kong’s economic development. We will expedite the implementation of economic and housing‑related projects in the Northern Metropolis, while maintaining a prudent fiscal position.139. The Northern Metropolis will gradually enter the maturity phase. In the next five years, some 60 000 housing units involving about 10 new PRH estates will be completed and ready for intake. The first batch of land at the San Tin Technopole will be put to the market, and the new Huanggang Port building with co‑location of immigration and customs clearance arrangement will be completed. In the second five‑year period, the number of new housing units will increase by about 150 000, with over 10 million square metres of gross floor area available for economic uses. The first joint‑user government building in Kwu Tung North will be put to use, and the expanded North District Hospital will be ready for service. As for transport infrastructure, construction of the Northern Link (NOL) Main Line is scheduled for completion in 2034, and the Northern Metropolis Highway (San Tin Section) is set to open in 2036. These developments will significantly boost our economic growth and bolster our R&D and technology industries, while providing a better living environment which will help attract talents and encourage them to settle in Hong Kong for good. It will also enhance the quality of life of the people of Hong Kong, improving their livelihood and well‑being.140. The Government will seek funding for the first‑stage of San Tin Technopole’s infrastructure and begin construction works this year. The target is to deliver about 20 hectares of new I&T sites in phases, beginning in 2026‑27, for the Hong Kong Science and Technology Parks Corporation’s development and operation. In addition, the second‑phase of the Yuen Long South NDA will begin in mid‑2025. The preliminary development proposal for Ngau Tam Mei will be announced shortly, with land reserved for developing the Northern Metropolis University Town, the third medical school and an integrated teaching hospital. This will be followed by the announcement of the preliminary development proposals for the New Territories North New Town and the Ma Tso Lung area before end this year. The rezoning process for Sandy Ridge in the North District will begin this year, expanding its I&T sites to 10 hectares for use as data centres and related purposes.141. We are exploring the establishment of a pilot industrial park by granting some of the logistics sites in the Hung Shui Kiu/Ha Tsuen NDA to a company established and led by the Government. The company will, in accordance with the Government’s industrial policies, be responsible for formulating the park’s development and operation strategies (including considering whether to accept strategic investment), taking up day‑to‑day management and attracting businesses and investment. We will announce the details in the first quarter of next year. Separately, we will consider flexible disposal approaches for industry land to meet the development needs of individual industries, with a view to driving industry development.142. To expedite development of the Northern Metropolis, the Government will adopt, on a pilot basis, a large‑scale land‑disposal approach, under which sizable land parcels with commercial value and earmarked for provision of community facilities will be selected and granted to successful bidders for collective development. This approach can speed up development of the land parcels, enabling a more co‑ordinated design for the area. We have identified three land parcels, each of 10 to 20 hectares, as pilot sites.(B) Promote Development of the Hong Kong‑Shenzhen I&T Park in the Loop143. The Hetao Shenzhen‑Hong Kong Science and Technology Innovation Co‑operation Zone, located on both sides of the Shenzhen River, consists of the Shenzhen Park and the Hong Kong Park. Capitalising on the strengths of “One Country, Two Systems” with the geographic advantages of “one river, two banks”, the Government will develop the Hong Kong Park in the Loop into a world‑class, industry‑academia‑research platform, an internationally competitive R&D transformation and pilot production base for industries, a hub for pooling global I&T resources, as well as a testing ground for institutional and policy innovation.144. I have established the Steering Committee on the Hong Kong‑Shenzhen I&T Park in the Loop, chaired by myself, to lead the HKSAR Government to formulate the overall strategy, planning and layout for the development of the Hong Kong Park. The Development Outline for the Hong Kong Park of the Hetao Shenzhen‑Hong Kong Science and Technology Innovation Co‑operation Zone will be published later this year, setting out innovative policies to facilitate the flow of personnel, materials, capital and data between the two parks, making the co‑operation zone a crucial source of new quality productive forces for our country.145. The Hong Kong Park will be developed in two phases from west to east. The Government is boosting both the speed and quantity, doubling the first‑phase development’s gross floor area to 1 million square metres. Construction of the first three buildings will be completed in phases, from the end of this year. The first batch of tenants, from life and health technology, AI, data science and other pillar industries, will begin to move in next year. The remaining five buildings will be completed in the coming five years.146. We are also exploring with the Mainland authorities the trial implementation of innovative facilitation measures, including facilitating cross‑boundary travel of designated personnel of the two parks, enabling the cross‑boundary movement of materials by using low‑altitude, unmanned aerial vehicles, and facilitating cross‑boundary fund transfers by Mainland enterprises settling in the Hong Kong Park.(C) Leverage the Strengths of the GBA to Foster Mutual Capacity Development147. The GBA is a strategic fulcrum of the new development pattern of our country, a demonstration zone of high‑quality development, and a pioneer of Chinese modernisation. And Hong Kong is an active participant, facilitator and beneficiary.148. To strengthen top‑level planning and steer, I have established the Steering Group on Integration into National Development to lead the HKSAR Government and all sectors of the community to take a more proactive role in promoting the integrated development of Hong Kong and the Mainland, particularly the Mainland cities of the GBA, deepening collaboration through various co‑operation task forces between the two sides. The Government will continue to promote the GBA development by building a higher level of connectivity, facilitating policy innovations and breakthroughs, pursuing wider harmonisation of rules and mechanisms, and expediting co‑ordinated development of I&T and related industries.Capitalise on the Mainland’s Land Resources and Hong Kong’s Advantages in Cargo Flow to Develop a Logistics Industry Circle149. The HKIA Dongguan Logistics Park is an excellent example for the development of an innovative co‑operation mechanism. The park, built with Hong Kong investment, combines our strengths in aviation and logistics with the Mainland’s advantages in terms of land and manpower resources, leading to a reduction in operating costs and cargo handling time. We will work with the Dongguan Municipal Government to jointly develop the permanent logistics park.Promote Collaboration in the Airport Cluster of the GBA to Expand Business Networks150. We will combine the strengths of the HKIA and the Zhuhai Airport, enhancing the Fly‑Via‑Zhuhai‑Hong Kong direct passenger service and promoting the development of the international air‑cargo business in collaboration with the Zhuhai Municipality, to achieve mutual benefits.Enhance the Mechanism on Recognition of Professional Qualifications151. In collaboration with the Guangdong Province, we have established an evaluation mechanism of post titles for the first batch of Hong Kong engineering professionals. We will continue to do so for other construction professions on a gradual basis. We are also collaborating with the Guangdong Province and Macao to create GBA Standards on the skill level for skilled workers in the construction sector, and will work with the “One Examination, Multiple Certification” arrangement so that those who pass the examinations adopting the GBA Standards can concurrently obtain vocational skill certificates issued by the three places. This will enhance the training quality of the construction industry in the GBA and nurture talents.Mobilise Capital for Joint Investment in the GBA152. The HKIC is proactively exploring with relevant Mainland organisations co‑operation opportunities for joint investment in GBA projects that present the potential to realise economic and social benefits, taking into account market developments.Promote Data Flow for Public Convenience and Business Facilitation153. The Standard Contract for the Cross‑boundary Flow of Personal Information Within the GBA (Mainland, Hong Kong), piloted in the banking, credit referencing and healthcare sectors since last year, has been operating smoothly, streamlining cross‑boundary data flow in compliance with relevant rules. We will extend the measure to all sectors, promoting more cross‑boundary services to benefit the public and businesses while facilitating data flow throughout the GBA.Scale up Medical Collaboration in the GBA154. We will extend the Elderly Health Care Voucher GBA Pilot Scheme to cover nine Mainland cities in the GBA, and expand the sharing of cross‑boundary medical records via the eHealth platform. We will work to enable the cross‑boundary use of data, samples, drugs and medical devices through the GBA Clinical Trial Collaboration Platform and the Real‑World Study and Application Centre in the Hetao Shenzhen‑Hong Kong Science and Technology Innovation Co‑operation Zone. That will accelerate development of the pharmaceutical industry for medical innovation. We will also foster collaboration with the GBA to promote specialist training that aligns with international standards.Strengthen Legal Co-operation155. We will continue to follow up on the implementation of the enhanced arrangement for cross‑boundary service of judicial documents, and promote the establishment of a GBA legal information platform and a dedicated platform for GBA lawyers to facilitate professional exchange and training.Nurture Talents and Create Opportunities for Youth Development156. We have been encouraging local universities to offer education services in the GBA. To date, four GBA campuses have been set up. In addition, we have set up the GBA Youth Employment Scheme to encourage Hong Kong youths to work in the region. We are exploring the provision of a reciprocal arrangement.(To be continued.)

MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

January 23, 2025
MIL-OSI Russia: NSU School Olympiad in Physics “Your Path to Real Science” was included in the list of the Russian Council of School Olympiads

MILES AXLE Translation. Region: Russian Federation –

Source: Novosibirsk State University – Novosibirsk State University –

The school physics Olympiad “Your Path to Real Science”, organized by Novosibirsk State University together with the Siberian Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences, was included in the list of the Russian Council of School Olympiads. The corresponding order was published on the website of the Ministry of Education and Science last week. The expert commission on physics highly appreciated the level, novelty, originality, complexity and creative nature of this Olympiad. Inclusion in the list significantly increases the status of the Olympiad, which will allow the winners and prize-winners of these competitions to receive additional privileges when entering leading universities in Russia, including NSU. The university plans to expand its geography, increase the number of in-person venues in other regions and the number of participants.

— There is the All-Russian School Olympiad, which stands apart, outside of any levels or categories. It allows you to apply without entrance examinations. However, there are about 25-30 winners and prize-winners of this Physics Olympiad in the entire country. At the same time, there are many more gifted schoolchildren, talented applicants who know physics or want to study it, they need to be identified and invited to further study physics at the university. Our Olympiad allows us to solve this problem, — says Evgeny Zhdanov, senior lecturer at the Department of General Physics Physics Department of NSU, member of the jury of the Olympiad “Your Path to Real Science”.

The significant benefits for schoolchildren that the Olympiad provides may vary from university to university. At the NSU Physics Department, any prize place in this Olympiad will be equivalent to 100 points in the Unified State Exam in Physics, while for an applicant it will be enough to confirm their qualification at the level of 75 points.

The Olympiad “Your Path to Real Science” has been held since 2019, but is a continuation of the long-standing traditions of entrance examinations at NSU. In addition to the standard genre of original text problems in physics, which are present in almost every Olympiad, the Olympiad “Your Path to Real Science” contains such unique genre problems as an assessment problem and a demonstration problem.

An assessment task is a task in which no numerical values are specified, and the student must independently select a physical model describing the phenomenon specified in the task, select the necessary numerical values and obtain a numerical result that must correspond to reality. A demonstration task is a task in which students are shown a vivid physical phenomenon described in simple “everyman” language, and the student must explain the observed phenomenon by translating it into “physical” language. This requires participants to be able to apply theoretical knowledge to describe real phenomena and processes. Such a skill in such a “concentrated” form is very rarely tested by Olympiads, even those that include an experimental round. Creating demonstration tasks requires extensive experience and high qualifications of the authors. Such a demonstration was previously held at entrance exams to NSU at several (two or three) sites. For each site, it was necessary to prepare special equipment, as well as assistants capable of competently conducting such a demonstration. With the development of the Olympiad movement, the number of venues increased significantly, which significantly narrowed the range of phenomena that could be demonstrated in this way at such a large number of venues simultaneously. In order to preserve the unique genre of the demonstration task, a solution was found to record video demonstration, which can then be shown on any platform using a projector or even a laptop. This technology has made it possible, among other things, to show fast-moving events that require slow motion for better perception.

Thus, the Olympiad “Your Path to Real Science” differs from the classical ones primarily in the types of problems that are aimed at revealing physical intuition.

— A child may not always have sufficient knowledge of physics, but have a good idea of how natural phenomena work. Therefore, he or she can score high marks at the Olympiad and, based on the results, enter a university. This is how we identify and attract talented children, — emphasizes Evgeny.

Current scientists from SB RAS institutes participate in both compiling problems and checking the results of the Olympiad. The 2024 methodological commission includes teachers with many years of experience, including members of the Russian Academy of Sciences and doctors of physical and mathematical sciences.

The Olympiad is held in two stages – the qualifying and the final. The qualifying stage is also divided into two – in-person, which will take place on December 1; and remote, lasting a week, while the tasks do not repeat those that were in the in-person stage. The winners and prize-winners of the qualifying round go to the final stage, which will be in March. Important: the winners and prize-winners of the current year’s Olympiad, who are not in the graduating class, are invited to the final stage next year immediately, without going through the selection. You can find out how to participate in the Olympiad on its official website.

Inclusion in the list of RSOSh will allow NSU to expand the geography of the Olympiad and increase the number of participants. Thus, last year there were more than 450. Also, the NSU Physics Faculty plans to conclude agreements with new sites and hold the final stage not only in Novosibirsk, but also in other cities.

Please note: This information is raw content directly from the source of the information. It is exactly what the source states and does not reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.

Please note; This information is raw content directly from the information source. It is accurate to what the source is stating and does not reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.

http://www.nsu.ru/n/media/nevs/education/school-olympiad-nsu-in-physics-your-path-to-real-science-included-in-the-list-of-russian-owl/

MIL OSI Russia News –

January 23, 2025
MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Govt to launch committee for talent

Source: Hong Kong Information Services

Chief Executive John Lee today revealed that the Government will set up a Committee on Education, Technology & Talents to promote Hong Kong as an international hub for high-calibre talent.

Unveiling a raft of measures aimed at building the city’s capacity in terms of knowledge, talent and opportunities, Mr Lee said in his 2024 Policy Address that “education nurtures our future, technology denotes our strength, and talents lead our development.” Initiatives aimed at promoting Hong Kong’s development as an international centre for post-secondary education and strengthening youth development were also announced.

The Committee on Education, Technology & Talents will be led by the Chief Secretary and will co-ordinate and drive the integrated development of education, technology and talents, expand connections, formulate policies to attract and cultivate talents, and foster the development of technologies.

Highlighting that around 160,000 individuals have come to Hong Kong under the talent admission regime, out of more than 380,000 applicants, Mr Lee stressed that various aspects of it needed to be reformed to cover a projected shortfall of around 180,000 workers across different sectors over the next five years.

Specifically, the Talent List will be updated to cover personnel required for the development of Hong Kong in eight key areas. In addition, the list of universities under the Top Talent Pass Scheme will be expanded to 198 by adding 13 top Mainland and overseas universities. The validity period of the first visas awarded to successful high-income applicants under the scheme will be extended from two to three years.

The General Employment Policy and the Admission Scheme for Mainland Talents and Professionals will be enhanced to attract experienced specialists in specific skilled trades that face acute manpower shortages. A new mechanism will also be introduced under the Quality Migrant Admission Scheme, allowing high-calibre talent to be proactively invited to come to Hong Kong. Moreover, a pilot arrangement that includes graduates from Greater Bay Area (GBA) campuses of Hong Kong universities under Immigration Arrangements for Non-local Graduates will be extended for two years.

Meanwhile, Hong Kong Talent Engage (HKTE) will step up promotion of its online platforms to offer comprehensive information on salaries, taxation, education, visas and more. It will also expand its network of collaborative partners, hold online and in-person job fairs, organise another international talent forum, and conduct overseas promotion.

With regard to promoting Hong Kong’s development as an international hub for post-secondary education, Mr Lee said the Government will set up a Hong Kong Future Talents Scholarship Scheme for Advanced Studies, beginning in the next academic year. The scheme will offer scholarships each year to up to 1,200 local students enrolling in designated postgraduate programmes.

The Chief Executive also announced the creation of the “Study in Hong Kong” brand, explaining that this will involve hosting international education conferences and exhibitions, enhanced collaboration and exchanges between local post-secondary institutions and their counterparts around the world, and increased emphasis on attracting overseas students through scholarships and other incentives.

He added that efforts will be made to improve accommodation for students through a pilot scheme aimed at streamlining the processing of applications to convert hotels and other commercial buildings into student hostels. The Government will also make available suitable sites for the private sector to build new hostels, having regard to market demand.

Also in the educational realm, Mr Lee said a bill will be introduced next year to improve the regulatory and quality assurance mechanisms of self-financing post-secondary institutions. He added that the Government has earmarked over 80 hectares of land in the Northern Metropolis for a Northern Metropolis University Town, and will encourage local post-secondary institutions to develop branded programmes, research collaboration and exchange projects with renowned Mainland and overseas institutions.

The Chief Executive highlighted that following recognition of the Hong Kong Metropolitan University as the city’s first university of applied sciences (UAS), a UAS alliance will be established this year. It will embark on joint promotion and strengthen collaboration with UAS institutions around the world. The Government has allocated a startup fund of $100 million for the alliance.

Mr Lee added that the Government will build a campus for the Vocational Training Council’s newly established Hong Kong Institute of Information Technology.

Meanwhile, the Education Bureau will establish a Steering Committee on Strategic Development of Digital Education to promote digital education, renew the Junior Secondary Science Curriculum and provide support for teachers in using AI in teaching.

In terms of broader support for teachers, the Government will allocate $2 billion to set up a Teacher Professional Development Fund to support the long-term development of the profession. About $470 million will be allocated to enhance the learning and teaching of English, Putonghua and other languages.

Turning to the housing needs of young people, Mr Lee said the Hong Kong Housing Authority will allocate an extra ballot number to young family applicants and one-person applicants under 40 with White Form status for the purchase of Home Ownership Scheme (HOS) flats from the next HOS sale exercise onwards. Starting from the next White Form Secondary Market Scheme (WSM) exercise, the WSM quota will increase by 1,500, with all of the additional places going to young family applicants and one-person applicants under 40.

Moreover, a “Youth Post” hostel and spaces for cultural and arts exchanges will be created for young people at the Kai Tak Community Isolation Facility, and a physical platform for interaction will be set up for “Youth Link” members at the Nam Cheong District Community Centre.

The Government will establish a new interactive space and set up a video studio at the Youth Square in Chai Wan, and launch a new round of the Funding Scheme for Youth Life Planning Activities, which invites NGOs to provide enhanced services and national affairs content. The Hong Kong Jockey Club will contribute $300 million to support these initiatives.

Mr Lee said the GBA Youth Employment Scheme will be enhanced through a relaxation of eligibility requirements, meaning young people aged 29 or under with sub-degrees or higher qualifications will be able to join the scheme. The Youth Employment and Training Programme will also be refined, with the upper age limit for participants rising to 29. Additional workplace attachment opportunities will be provided in the GBA under the programme.

MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

January 23, 2025
MIL-OSI United Kingdom: University unveils strategy to boost innovation and drive new business creation A new approach to fostering an enhanced spin-out culture at the University of Aberdeen will now see the institution reduce its equity stake, in favour of increasing innovation and accelerating the commercialisation of intellectual property.

Source: University of Aberdeen

The move seeks to make staff, students and investors excited about the ideas and opportunities coming out of the UniversityA new approach to fostering an enhanced spin-out culture at the University of Aberdeen will now see the institution reduce its equity stake, in favour of increasing innovation and accelerating the commercialisation of intellectual property.

Spin-outs are crucial to improving economic growth and they play a pivotal role in helping to solve some of the most pressing challenges facing society.” Dr Heather Morgan, Dean for Enterprise & Innovation

The move makes Aberdeen one of the first universities in Scotland and the UK to introduce key recommendations that emerged from a recent independent review of university spin-outs that was commissioned by HM Treasury.

Under the new policy, the University’s equity share in new businesses could be as low as 5%, compared to the previous 21% minimum rate. Future equity arrangements will also take a sector-specific approach that considers the level of University investment in the underpinning research and nature or extent of the intellectual property.

“An independent review commissioned by the UK Treasury looked at the most successful university spin-out ecosystems across the world and within the UK, to identify best practice and opportunities to support spin-outs to attract greater investment and grow faster,” said Professor Peter Edwards, the University’s Vice-Principal for Regional Engagement.

“The independent review reported criticism from spin-out founders that universities have been taking too great a share, with some taking 40% or even 50% equity, well above levels that investors would see as encouraging the level of investment needed to support the company and founders would consider fair. As a result, they have effectively been stifling these businesses’ ability to grow.

“The University of Aberdeen has an excellent track record and reputation for life sciences spin-outs with firms such as Elasmogen, TauRx and NCIMB in our portfolio. We want to replicate this success across other sectors from green energy to digital technology and, in producing a more nuanced approach, we will be able to provide clarity for founders and improved opportunities for investors which we believe will stimulate future growth and development.”

The new policy is just one element within a much broader set of measures being implemented by the University to support new company creation and economic growth.

These range from changes to academic promotion criteria to recognise commercialisation of academic research, to involvement in initiatives like the recent ICURe Discover North East programme in which the University partnered with Innovate UK, Opportunity North East and The Helix Way. The programme saw 10 teams of university entrepreneurs complete an eight-week journey to equip them with invaluable market understanding and customer discovery skills.

“It’s been particularly pleasing to see these teams continue on their commercialisation journey after ICURe Discover, working with the team in Research & Innovation to take the next steps towards spinning out,” said Dr Ann Lewendon, Commercialisation Manager.

“Spin-outs are crucial to improving economic growth and they play a pivotal role in helping to solve some of the most pressing challenges facing society,” added Dr Heather Morgan, Dean for Enterprise & Innovation.

“They aren’t created overnight however and another of the areas we’ve been working hard to cultivate as part of this strategic review is our pre-spin-out pipeline. Understanding market interest and commercial potential is critical to transforming research and innovation into successful start-up businesses capable of maximising their impact and delivering tangible results.

“We want to encourage staff and students to feel supported and empowered to take the next step and investors to feel excited about the ideas and opportunities coming out of the University.”

Professor Ross Tuffee, co-author of the Scottish Government’s ‘Entrepreneurial Campus Blueprint’, commented: “The University of Aberdeen is taking a clear position in creating the conditions for more spin outs to be established, to grow and succeed. Taking a transparent and open approach including equity stakes that are practical and workable outside of the institution is a huge step forward.

“This directly aligns with our recommendations. I believe it will encourage more academics to consider translating their research to achieve even greater impact via the spin-out process and will facilitate follow-on investment from external investors, ensuring that the founder’s shareholding remains a motivation for them to continue to grow their company.”

MIL OSI United Kingdom –

January 23, 2025
MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: CE says culture to drive development

Source: Hong Kong Information Services

Chief Executive John Lee pledged in this morning’s 2024 Policy Address to promote the integrated development of culture, sports and tourism in Hong Kong, and to foster economic diversification in the city.

Mr Lee shared plans to enhance Hong Kong’s cultural soft power, promote sports development, build Hong Kong into a centre for international sports mega-events, and revitalise the city’s tourism industry. He also outlined initiatives to support small and medium enterprises (SMEs), develop the “silver economy”, and promote the sustainable development of Hong Kong’s agriculture and fisheries industries.

The Chief Executive said that in order to enhance Hong Kong’s role as the world’s East-meets-West centre for international cultural exchange and boost its cultural confidence, the Government would deepen institutional reforms to the city’s cultural system, and improve its cultural and economic policies.

Updating the community on the formulation of the Culture, Sports and Tourism Bureau’s (CSTB) Blueprint for Arts and Culture and Creative Industries Development, Mr Lee said the CSTB is due to consult the Culture Commission on it and will promulgate the blueprint later this year.

He added that the Cultural and Creative Industries Development Agency, established in June, is incubating cultural and creative projects with potential for commercialisation through the CreateSmart Initiative, and facilitating more registration of cultural and creative products on the Asia IP Exchange Portal. It is also turning Hong Kong Fashion Design Week into an annual signature event, with a view to establishing Hong Kong as a fashion design hub.

Mr Lee also iterated that the West Kowloon Cultural District (WKCD) Authority is taking the lead on establishing an industry chain for Hong Kong’s arts, cultural and creative industries. He reported that it will promote the creation of a comprehensive arts trading ecosystem; host more major international cultural, creative and commercial events; export more performing arts programmes and exhibitions to the Mainland and overseas on a commercial basis; and brand the WKCD as a must-visit cultural landmark in collaboration with the Hong Kong Tourism Board (HKTB).

On sports development, Mr Lee said the Government will continue to promote sports in the community, support elite sports, enhance the professionalism of Hong Kong athletes and sports teams, maintain Hong Kong as a centre for major international sports events, and develop sports as an industry.

He mentioned that the Hong Kong Sports Institute is reviewing the mechanism for direct financial support of athletes, including those with disabilities, and has set up a committee to oversee the development of sports medicine and sports science. He added that the Government will provide more sports and recreational facilities, including a new swimming complex suitable for hosting international competitions and a new sports arena with fencing facilities.

In terms of sports governance, the Sports Federation and Olympic Committee of Hong Kong, China will conclude its review of the governance and operation of national sports associations (NSAs). Mr Lee also outlined that the Government aims to develop Hong Kong as a host city economy and will make use of the new Kai Tak Sports Park (KTSP) and other existing venues to host large-scale international competitions so that Hong Kong athletes and teams can compete on home soil.

He added that the KTSP, due to open in the first quarter of 2025, will boost sports development and foster the synergistic development of major sports events, innovative entertainment, dining, conventions and exhibitions, and tourism activities.

With regard to tourism, the Chief Executive said the CSTB will publish its Development Blueprint for Hong Kong’s Tourism Industry 2.0 later this year. It will cover areas such as the development of eco-tourism, and the enhancement of tourism-support measures to encourage more visitor arrivals from the Middle East and Southeast Asia. There will also be efforts to create tourism products around specific themes, such as yachting, pandas and horse racing, build the city’s mega-event tourism economy, promote gastronomy tourism and cruise tourism, and develop “smart tourism” through the application of technologies such as AI (artificial intelligence).

In addition, Mr Lee said the Government will set up a Working Group on Developing Tourist Hotspots to co-ordinate with the community and develop new tourist hotspots in various districts. It has also proposed to the central authorities that the “multiple-entry” Individual Visit Endorsements for Shenzhen residents be resumed and that the “one trip per week” Individual Visit Endorsements pilot scheme be expanded to cover more cities.

Mr Lee added that starting from today the Government has relaxed the criteria for nationals of Cambodia, Laos and Myanmar in applying for multiple-entry visas for travel or business, and extended the validity period of the visas offered from two years to three.

The Chief Executive also unveiled a number of support measures to address challenges encountered by SMEs. These include re-launching the principal moratorium, meaning that enterprises that borrow under the SME Financing Guarantee Scheme will be allowed to apply for a principal moratorium for up to 12 months. Existing loans already granted under the 80%, 90% and special 100% guarantee products, as well as new loans under the 80% and 90% guarantee products, will be covered.

In addition, $1 billion will be injected into the Dedicated Fund on Branding, Upgrading and Domestic Sales to help SMEs upgrade their business operations and develop new markets, and the scope of Cyberport’s Digital Transformation Support Pilot Programme, which offers SMEs funding for digital transformation on a matching basis, will be expanded to cover the retail and food and beverage sectors.

Mr Lee said the Hong Kong Trade Development Council will formulate plans to set up more Hong Kong Pavilions at Mainland and overseas exhibitions, while an additional provision of $500 million will be allocated for the launch of the Incentive Scheme for Recurrent Exhibitions 2.0, which aims to attract large-scale international exhibitions to Hong Kong.

In terms of the development of a silver economy, the Chief Executive said new products and services must be developed in response to the rapid expansion of the elderly market. The Government will set up a “Working Group on Promoting Silver Economy”, led by the Deputy Chief Secretary, to implement measures to boost elderly-related consumption and support elderly consumers.

Mr Lee reported that the Government will also take forward the Blueprint for the Sustainable Development of Agriculture and Fisheries.

MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

January 23, 2025
MIL-OSI Russia: Polytechnicians at the Far Eastern Mathematical Festival

MILES AXLE Translation. Region: Russian Federation –

Source: Peter the Great St Petersburg Polytechnic University – Peter the Great St Petersburg Polytechnic University –

In early October, a delegation from Peter the Great St. Petersburg Polytechnic University visited the Far Eastern Mathematics Festival, organized by the Khabarovsk branch of the scientific and educational mathematical center “Far Eastern Center for Mathematical Research” at the Pacific National University (PNU).

The delegation included Acting Director of the Institute of Physics and Mechanics of SPbPU, Professor Alexey Filimonov; Director of the Higher School of Mechanics and Control Processes, Corresponding Member of the Russian Academy of Sciences Alexander Belyaev; Professor of the Higher School of Artificial Intelligence Technologies Vladimir Zaborovsky and Professor of the Higher School of Social Sciences Dmitry Kuznetsov.

The festival was opened by the discussion “Prospects in Trends of Science and Technology”. Dmitry Kuznetsov presented a report “History and Philosophy of Development of Domestic Mathematical Science”. Vladimir Zaborovsky covered current issues of intellectualization of computing technologies, their physical and information aspects in his speech. The event of the first day of the festival was concluded by the report of Alexander Belyaev “High-frequency dynamics – the missing link in the evolution of dynamics”.

The next day, the Polytechnics took part in the XXII All-Russian Scientific Conference “Physics: Fundamental and Applied Research, Education”. The range of topics discussed covered theoretical physics and computational mathematics, condensed matter physics, physical materials science, general and technical physics, optics, and physics education. Dmitry Kuznetsov gave a report “Augustin Betancourt and Physics Education in Russia in the First Quarter of the 19th Century”, and Alexey Filimonov’s open lecture was devoted to the natural size effect in III-nitride heterocontacts. The speaker considered issues relevant to the technology of creating semiconductor devices, such as the nature of the chaotic potential in heterocontacts of semiconductor structures induced by the electrostatic field of dislocations, under conditions of localization of a two-dimensional electron gas in the near-contact region.

Please note: This information is raw content directly from the source of the information. It is exactly what the source states and does not reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.

Please note; This information is raw content directly from the information source. It is accurate to what the source is stating and does not reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.

https://vvv.spbstu.ru/media/nevs/partnership/polytechnics-at-the-Far-Eastern-mathematical-festival/

MIL OSI Russia News –

January 23, 2025
MIL-OSI Australia: Eagleby company and director fined, handed suspended jail term, in one of Queensland’s worst cases of asbestos offences
Source: Government of Queensland

Issued: 16 Oct 2024

Open larger image

Illegally dumped waste on Eagleby property

The Beenleigh Magistrates Court has handed down a scathing sentence for one of Queensland’s worst-ever illegal asbestos waste matters, following an extensive investigation by Queensland’s environmental regulator.

Asbestos Demolition Specialists has been fined $400,000, and the company’s director has copped a $100,000 fine and a suspended jail term after pleading guilty to a number of offences relating to the illegal operation of a waste facility in Eagleby.

The asbestos removal and demolition company pleaded guilty to nine offences under the Environmental Protection Act 1994 including:
- two offences for carrying out an environmentally relevant activity without an environmental authority,
- five offences for wilfully contravening an environmental protection order (EPO),
- one offence for wilfully and unlawfully depositing a prescribed water contaminant, and
- one offence for wilfully and unlawfully causing material harm.
In addition to the $400,000 fine, the company has been ordered to pay a monetary benefit order of $75,544, representing the licence fees for the activity. The company and its director were issued with a rehabilitation order to restore the impacted land.

The company’s director, Mr Anthony Palmer, pleaded guilty to failing to ensure his company complied with the requirements of the Environmental Protection Act. He was fined $100,000 and sentenced to nine months imprisonment wholly suspended for three years.

The Court recorded convictions against both defendants and ordered they pay $12,645 each in legal and investigation costs.

During sentencing, the Court found the offending activities were deliberate and extensive, and noted it was one of Queensland’s largest criminal asbestos waste matters.

Queensland’s environmental regulator, the Department of Environment, Science and Innovation (DESI), began investigating the site in 2020 after officers conducted a series of site inspections and observed large amounts of illegally disposed construction waste, including asbestos.

Due to the site’s location on the banks of the Albert River and other nearby water bodies, and its proximity to residential properties, the site was not licenced to receive any waste including asbestos-contaminated waste.

In June 2020, DESI issued the company with a Direction Notice which required it to immediately stop receiving and disposing of waste at the site, and to remove any onsite waste. In July 2021, DESI issued the company with a penalty infringement notice for failing to comply with the Direction Notice, and an EPO.

Mr Palmer and the company repeatedly failed to comply with the department’s statutory notices, and during follow up site inspections throughout 2020, 2021 and 2022, environmental officers continued to observe old and new waste on site including asbestos.

Quotes attributable to Brad Wirth, Executive Director, Industry Development and South East Compliance, DESI

“As the environmental regulator, it is our role to implement and enforce legislation that protects the environment and safeguards our communities.

“It is vital that operators and individuals comply with the laws and regulations to ensure their activities do not harm our precious environment, and we will take strong action against those who fail to meet these expectations.

“The repeated and serious nature of these offences, and the lack of action from the company and Mr Palmer is extremely disappointing.

“The outcome from the Court reflects the seriousness of these offences.

“The handling, management and disposal of asbestos waste is strictly regulated by the department to protect the health and safety of our communities, and the environment.

“The Albert River is home to a diverse ecosystem and provides crucial habitat to number of flora and fauna species. Its conservation is essential to the area’s biodiversity, and it is simply unacceptable that Mr Palmer and his company put its health at risk.”

MIL OSI News –
January 23, 2025
MIL-OSI Africa: Somalia and Turkey are becoming firm allies – what’s behind this strategy

Source: The Conversation – Africa – By Federico Donelli, Assistant Professor of International Relations, University of Trieste

Turkey has ramped up its partnership with Somalia in recent months. It is helping Somalia defend its waters, and has signed a deal to explore for oil and gas off the east African nation’s coast.

There have also been reports of advanced discussions to have Turkey set up a missile and rocket testing site in Somalia.

These agreements underscore Turkey’s strategic and economic aspirations in the broader Horn of Africa region.

Over the past four years, there has been a steady increase in Turkish partnerships and agreements for the export of defence-related products to the region. This has included the use of Turkish drones in conflict zones, such as Libya and Ethiopia.

I have studied Turkey’s historical and current involvement in Somalia to understand what’s driving Ankara’s policy in the Horn of Africa. In my view, Turkey’s involvement is driven by multiple factors. These include international status-seeking, regional balance and strategic concerns.

The opening of a training facility in Mogadishu has increased Turkey’s strategic depth in the Horn of Africa, projecting the country towards both sub-Saharan Africa and the Indian Ocean. And the use of Turkish drones in Ethiopia’s Tigray conflict has shown Turkish defence arrangements have become a factor in local dynamics.

Somalia’s appeal

Turkey’s interest in Somalia dates back to 2010-2011. At the time, Somalia was grappling with the devastating effects of 20 years of civil war, failed international interventions and the emergence of the al-Qaeda-linked al-Shabaab terror group. In addition, the country was devastated by a famine that claimed more than 250,000 lives.

Somalia presented Turkey with several opportunities to establish a footprint in a region of high geostrategic value, and to enhance its image in Africa and globally.

First, there was a lack of interest in the country from major international players. Apart from anti-piracy initiatives in the Gulf of Aden and the US focus on the war on terror, international players watched Somalia with a certain detachment.

Turkey saw an opportunity to benefit from taking a leading role in an international crisis scenario.

Read more: Al-Shabaab is just a symptom of Somalia’s tragedy – the causes are still in place

Second, the world’s attention focused on the Arab world. The region was facing a wave of pro-democracy protests dubbed the Arab Spring. Somalia and the suffering of the Somali people were quickly forgotten by the international community.

Turkish policymakers saw the country’s isolation as an opportunity to gain international popularity and visibility on the continent.

Turkey took a multifaceted approach in Somalia. This encompassed humanitarian aid, diplomatic initiatives and economic investment. Turkey also supported state-building efforts and the reconstruction of Somalia’s security apparatus.

Internal dynamics

The financial and political resources that Turkey has invested in Somalia are driven by regional and domestic political considerations.

Regionally, 2016 to 2021 was a period of tension between Turkey, and Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates. Somalia and the competition for influence in its politics became one of the main areas of confrontation.

Domestically, Turkey has been able to portray its involvement in a way that’s boosted the ruling party’s standing. In addition, engagement in the Horn of Africa meets the demands of various business groups. This includes construction and defence companies that are close to the ruling political elite.

Intervention in Somalia plays an important role in the narrative of Turkish political elites associated with Turkey’s ruling party, Adalet ve Kalkınma Partisi (Justice and Development Party).

The party is a conservative but non-confessional party with Islamist roots. A significant proportion of the party’s supporters consider voluntary charity (sadaqa) to be the duty of a good Muslim. As a result, Turkey’s foreign and domestic interests converged with the government’s policy to support crisis-stricken Muslim communities. This includes those in Somalia. Here, Turkey has framed its involvement as a political and humanitarian success story. The Turkish public views it as such.

Read more: Turkey’s foray into Somalia is a huge success, but there are risks

Turkey has been able to bolster its security and defence ties at a rapid pace. The country’s Savunma Sanayii Başkanlığı (Defence Industry Agency of Turkey) reports directly to the president. Established as a state body in 1985, the agency gained prominence in 2017 when President Recep Tayyip Erdogan had it placed under the direct authority of the presidency.

This has made concluding defence agreements – a key factor of Ankara’s foreign policy – much faster.

Turkey has also used the opportunity to increase its involvement in the energy sector. Ankara has long aspired to play a pivotal role as a major energy hub in the wider region. It has considered establishing exploration operations off the coast of Somalia. Like all emerging powers, Turkey has a thirst for energy. This explains its July 2024 oil and gas exploration deal with Somalia.

Turning point

Ankara’s February 2024 defence agreement marked a significant turning point in Turkey-Somalia cooperation.

The agreement deepens defence ties between the two countries. Under the deal, Turkey has agreed to train and equip the Somali navy. It will also help patrol Somalia’s extensive 3,333-kilometre coastline. Turkey’s focus is on maritime activities. This is a strategic choice largely influenced by the unstable conditions in Somalia, where exerting control over territory is difficult.

Read more: Red Sea politics: why Turkey is helping Somalia defend its waters

The deal is a response to changes in the regional landscape and the ongoing reconfiguration of power dynamics in the Horn of Africa.

This has included:

Somalia’s decision to pursue diplomatic ties and defence agreements with Turkey needs to be understood against this backdrop.

– Somalia and Turkey are becoming firm allies – what’s behind this strategy
– https://theconversation.com/somalia-and-turkey-are-becoming-firm-allies-whats-behind-this-strategy-240578

MIL OSI Africa –

January 23, 2025
MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Tackling illegal content online and implementation of the Online Safety Act

Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments

Letter from the Secretary of State, Department for Science, Innovation and Technology (DSIT) to Ofcom.

Documents

Tackling illegal content online and implementation of the Online Safety Act: letter from DSIT Secretary of State

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Details

Peter Kyle, Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology has written to Dame Melanie Dawes, CEO of Ofcom, regarding Ofcom’s implementation of the Online Safety Act.

Updates to this page

Published 16 October 2024

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MIL OSI United Kingdom –

January 23, 2025
MIL-OSI Canada: Creating opportunities for Canadian industry through an enabling Canada–European Space Agency partnership
Source: Government of Canada News

News release

Today, while representing Canada at the 2024 International Astronautical Congress, Canadian Space Agency President Lisa Campbell announced that Toronto-based Kepler Communications Inc. has been selected as the prime contractor for the European Space Agency’s HydRON-DS mission.
Longueuil, Quebec, October 16, 2024 — Today, while representing Canada at the 2024 International Astronautical Congress (IAC), Canadian Space Agency (CSA) President Lisa Campbell announced that Toronto-based Kepler Communications Inc. has been selected as the prime contractor for the European Space Agency’s (ESA) HydRON-DS mission.

Consisting of a ring of 10 satellites around Earth, HydRON-DS will use laser communications to provide high-performance Internet in space at unprecedented speeds for government and commercial users. This opportunity has been made possible thanks to Canada’s long-standing and fruitful partnership with ESA, that allows Canadian companies from the space sector to leverage their expertise and skills on the European market. Since 1979, Canada has held the privileged position of being the only non-European cooperating state of ESA.

President Campbell also highlighted other concrete outcomes of this agreement for Canadian companies, such as:
- Sherbrooke-based SBQuantum will assess the viability of its quantum diamond magnetometer in space. ESA will evaluate both the reliability and precision of the sensor, and explore its potential deployment on satellites for various purposes, like assisting in the monitoring of magnetic storms or mapping minerals under the surface of the Moon.
- C-CORE, based in St. John’s, Newfoundland, will design and build a calibration transponder for the Biomass mission, which will deliver crucial information about the state of the world’s forests and how they are changing, and further our knowledge of the role forests play in the carbon cycle.
- Québec-based ABB Analytical Business Unit in Canada will provide the Laser Unit for the interferometer of the Forum mission, ESA’s ninth Earth Explorer satellite mission. Data from the mission will be used to evaluate the role that the far-infrared part of the electromagnetic spectrum plays in shaping our climate.
Quotes

“Canada’s continued participation in European Space Agency programs will further position our space sector for significant growth, generating highly skilled employment, and providing essential opportunities to access European markets. This collaboration allows us to engage in international space missions, while ensuring Canada’s space industry remains innovative, vibrant, and competitive in the fast-evolving global landscape.”

– The Honourable François-Philippe Champagne, Minister of Innovation, Science and Industry

“For 45 years now, Canada’s collaboration with ESA has resulted in opportunities to participate in European space program projects that would otherwise be out of reach. For Canadian companies, having this unique access to the European space market means commercialization prospects and concrete sales, job creation and knowledge-sharing, and international partnership opportunities. We look forward to continuing this partnership to further strengthen the synergies between our industrial, academic and government sectors as we advance space science and technology together.”

– Lisa Campbell, President of the CSA

“ESA is proud of the HydRON project, which exemplifies the power of European and Canadian collaboration in advancing space technology. With its laser satellite network for lightning-fast Internet communications, HydRON has the potential to transform how we connect globally, bridging digital divides and enabling secure communications on Earth and beyond.”

– Josef Aschbacher, ESA Director General

Quick facts
- The Cooperation Agreement between Canada and ESA was first signed in 1979, most recently renewed in 2019.
- Europe is the second-largest trading partner for Canada’s space sector after the U.S. ESA is among the largest space agencies in the world and undertakes a wide range of space missions and activities that the Canadian space sector is well positioned to engage in.
- Between April 2018 and March 2022, 44 Canadian organizations received 125 contracts valued at approximately €59 million, which would otherwise not have been accessible without the Canada–ESA Cooperation Agreement.
- From October 14 to 18, the CSA is attending the 75th edition of the IAC organized in Milan, Italy. The IAC is the largest space-related conference worldwide offering the latest space information and developments in academia and industry, networking opportunities, contacts and potential partnerships.
Contacts

Canadian Space Agency
Media Relations Office
Telephone: 450-926-4370
Email: asc.medias-media.csa@asc-csa.gc.ca
Website: http://www.asc-csa.gc.ca
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MIL OSI Canada News –
January 23, 2025
MIL-OSI Global: Somalia and Turkey are becoming firm allies – what’s behind this strategy
Source: The Conversation – Africa – By Federico Donelli, Assistant Professor of International Relations, University of Trieste

Turkey has ramped up its partnership with Somalia in recent months. It is helping Somalia defend its waters, and has signed a deal to explore for oil and gas off the east African nation’s coast.

There have also been reports of advanced discussions to have Turkey set up a missile and rocket testing site in Somalia.

These agreements underscore Turkey’s strategic and economic aspirations in the broader Horn of Africa region.

Over the past four years, there has been a steady increase in Turkish partnerships and agreements for the export of defence-related products to the region. This has included the use of Turkish drones in conflict zones, such as Libya and Ethiopia.

I have studied Turkey’s historical and current involvement in Somalia to understand what’s driving Ankara’s policy in the Horn of Africa. In my view, Turkey’s involvement is driven by multiple factors. These include international status-seeking, regional balance and strategic concerns.

The opening of a training facility in Mogadishu has increased Turkey’s strategic depth in the Horn of Africa, projecting the country towards both sub-Saharan Africa and the Indian Ocean. And the use of Turkish drones in Ethiopia’s Tigray conflict has shown Turkish defence arrangements have become a factor in local dynamics.

Somalia’s appeal

Turkey’s interest in Somalia dates back to 2010-2011. At the time, Somalia was grappling with the devastating effects of 20 years of civil war, failed international interventions and the emergence of the al-Qaeda-linked al-Shabaab terror group. In addition, the country was devastated by a famine that claimed more than 250,000 lives.

Somalia presented Turkey with several opportunities to establish a footprint in a region of high geostrategic value, and to enhance its image in Africa and globally.

First, there was a lack of interest in the country from major international players. Apart from anti-piracy initiatives in the Gulf of Aden and the US focus on the war on terror, international players watched Somalia with a certain detachment.

Turkey saw an opportunity to benefit from taking a leading role in an international crisis scenario.

Read more:
Al-Shabaab is just a symptom of Somalia’s tragedy – the causes are still in place

Second, the world’s attention focused on the Arab world. The region was facing a wave of pro-democracy protests dubbed the Arab Spring. Somalia and the suffering of the Somali people were quickly forgotten by the international community.

Turkish policymakers saw the country’s isolation as an opportunity to gain international popularity and visibility on the continent.

Turkey took a multifaceted approach in Somalia. This encompassed humanitarian aid, diplomatic initiatives and economic investment. Turkey also supported state-building efforts and the reconstruction of Somalia’s security apparatus.

Internal dynamics

The financial and political resources that Turkey has invested in Somalia are driven by regional and domestic political considerations.

Regionally, 2016 to 2021 was a period of tension between Turkey, and Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates. Somalia and the competition for influence in its politics became one of the main areas of confrontation.

Domestically, Turkey has been able to portray its involvement in a way that’s boosted the ruling party’s standing. In addition, engagement in the Horn of Africa meets the demands of various business groups. This includes construction and defence companies that are close to the ruling political elite.

Intervention in Somalia plays an important role in the narrative of Turkish political elites associated with Turkey’s ruling party, Adalet ve Kalkınma Partisi (Justice and Development Party).

The party is a conservative but non-confessional party with Islamist roots. A significant proportion of the party’s supporters consider voluntary charity (sadaqa) to be the duty of a good Muslim. As a result, Turkey’s foreign and domestic interests converged with the government’s policy to support crisis-stricken Muslim communities. This includes those in Somalia. Here, Turkey has framed its involvement as a political and humanitarian success story. The Turkish public views it as such.

Read more:
Turkey’s foray into Somalia is a huge success, but there are risks

Turkey has been able to bolster its security and defence ties at a rapid pace. The country’s Savunma Sanayii Başkanlığı (Defence Industry Agency of Turkey) reports directly to the president. Established as a state body in 1985, the agency gained prominence in 2017 when President Recep Tayyip Erdogan had it placed under the direct authority of the presidency.

This has made concluding defence agreements – a key factor of Ankara’s foreign policy – much faster.

Turkey has also used the opportunity to increase its involvement in the energy sector. Ankara has long aspired to play a pivotal role as a major energy hub in the wider region. It has considered establishing exploration operations off the coast of Somalia. Like all emerging powers, Turkey has a thirst for energy. This explains its July 2024 oil and gas exploration deal with Somalia.

Turning point

Ankara’s February 2024 defence agreement marked a significant turning point in Turkey-Somalia cooperation.

The agreement deepens defence ties between the two countries. Under the deal, Turkey has agreed to train and equip the Somali navy. It will also help patrol Somalia’s extensive 3,333-kilometre coastline. Turkey’s focus is on maritime activities. This is a strategic choice largely influenced by the unstable conditions in Somalia, where exerting control over territory is difficult.

Read more:
Red Sea politics: why Turkey is helping Somalia defend its waters

The deal is a response to changes in the regional landscape and the ongoing reconfiguration of power dynamics in the Horn of Africa.

This has included:
- a January 2024 agreement between Ethiopia and Somaliland, a breakaway state of Somalia, for access to the Red Sea. The deal renewed tensions between Addis Ababa and Mogadishu.
- the presence of Egyptian troops in Somalia, which Turkey is watching with a mixture of concern and irritation
- the strengthening of al-Shabaab’s position
- the participation of Ethiopian troops in the new African Union stabilisation mission in Somalia
- an upcoming election in Somaliland.
Somalia’s decision to pursue diplomatic ties and defence agreements with Turkey needs to be understood against this backdrop.

Federico Donelli is a Senior Research Associate at the Istituto di Studi di Politica Internazionale (ISPI) in Milan and a Non-Resident Fellow at the Orion Policy Institute (OPI) in Washington D.C.

– ref. Somalia and Turkey are becoming firm allies – what’s behind this strategy – https://theconversation.com/somalia-and-turkey-are-becoming-firm-allies-whats-behind-this-strategy-240578
MIL OSI – Global Reports –
January 23, 2025
MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Policy Address: Reform for Enhancing Development and Building Our Future Together

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

The Chief Executive, Mr John Lee, today (October 16) announced his third Policy Address entitled “Reform for Enhancing Development and Building Our Future Together”, setting out a range of initiatives to create new impetus for economic development, improve people’s livelihood and enhance their quality of life. Mr Lee said, “In this Policy Address, I will continue to follow through the ‘four proposals’ put forward by President Xi Jinping in his important speech delivered on July 1, 2022. I will also outline our vision and objectives for reforms and changes, as well as the related key measures and key performance indicators. “Reform is a continuous process. Over the past two years, my team and I have focused on economic growth and on improving people’s livelihood through development, with the well-being of the people of Hong Kong close to our hearts. This Policy Address will deepen our reforms and explore new growth areas.”Consolidate and enhance Hong Kong’s status as an international financial, shipping and trade centre Hong Kong has established strengths as an international centre for finance, shipping and trade, which are closely intertwined and can be developed in a synergistic and complementary manner. On the financial front, the Policy Address sets out the strategic development of Hong Kong as an international financial centre on all fronts. It strives to reinforce Hong Kong’s status as the world’s largest offshore Renminbi business hub, enhance the asset and securities markets, and develop Hong Kong into an international gold trading market through measures such as building world-class gold storage facilities and strengthening the trading mechanism and regulatory framework. This will in turn drive demand for related services such as collateral and loan businesses, opening up new growth areas of the financial sector. On the shipping side, the existing Hong Kong Maritime and Port Board will be reconstituted into the Hong Kong Maritime and Port Development Board. Additional funding will be provided to enhance its research capabilities, strengthen its Mainland and overseas promotional work and step up manpower training, encouraging more Mainland and overseas maritime service enterprises to establish presence in Hong Kong, promoting the sustainable development of Hong Kong’s maritime industry. The Government will advance the development of Hong Kong into a green maritime centre, while at the same time exploring the introduction of tax concessions and facilitate international commodity exchanges to set up accredited warehouses in Hong Kong, so as to establish a commodity trading ecosystem, especially for the storage and delivery of non-ferrous metal products, further promoting the development of Hong Kong’s maritime and trading services. In respect of the trade sector, the Government will establish a high-value-added supply chain service centre. Through measures such as enriching a high value-added supply chain services mechanism and enhancing export credit services, as well as making good use of the new opportunities brought about by the Second Agreement Concerning Amendment to the Mainland and Hong Kong Closer Economic Partnership Arrangement (CEPA) Agreement on Trade in Services, the Government will seek to attract Mainland and overseas enterprises to set up their headquarters or corporate divisions in Hong Kong. The Government will continue to vigorously expand Hong Kong’s global economic and trade networks, with particular emphasis on strengthening Hong Kong’s economic and trade ties with and marketing efforts in emerging markets, so as to enable Hong Kong to exert a greater role in the country’s opening up to the world. Moreover, the Government will reduce the import duty on liquor, fostering trading of liquor and boosting development of high value-added industries.Develop new quality productive forces tailored to local conditions The core element of new quality productive forces is to achieve high quality economic development through technological empowerment. The Government is striving to expedite Hong Kong’s development into an international innovation and technology (I&T) centre. On top of the additional investment put in over the past two years, a $10 billion I&T Industry-Oriented Fund will be set up to guide more market capital to invest in specified emerging and future industries of strategic importance, including life and health technology and artificial intelligence. The Government will also launch the I&T Accelerator Pilot Scheme to attract professional start-up service providers to set up accelerator bases in Hong Kong, fostering the robust growth of start-ups. The Policy Address also proposed the establishment of the Working Group on Developing Low-altitude Economy. Starting with projects on low-altitude applications, the working group will designate specific venues for such purposes, draw up regulations and design the institutional set-up, study and map out plans to develop the required infrastructure and networks, and promote interface with the Mainland, pushing forward development of the low-altitude economy. At the same time, the Government is committed to promoting new energy development, such as green maritime fuel, sustainable aviation fuel and hydrogen energy. The Government will also expedite the reform of the approval mechanism for drugs and medical devices, establish the Real-World Study and Application Centre, and join hands with Shenzhen to establish the GBA Clinical Trial Collaboration Platform to enhance Hong Kong’s clinical trial capability and accelerate registration of new drugs, developing Hong Kong into an international health and medical innovation hub.Build Hong Kong into an international hub for high-calibre talents To boost synergy and effectiveness of policies, the Policy Address introduced the establishment of the Committee on Education, Technology and Talents to co-ordinate and drive the integrated development of education, technology and talents. In addition to reforming various aspects of the talent admission regime to build a quality talent pool for long-term development, the Government will endeavour to create the “Study in Hong Kong” brand to attract overseas students, launch a pilot scheme to support the market to flexibly increase the supply of self-financed and private student hostels, and map out the development plan of the Northern Metropolis University Town. These measures aim to expedite the development of Hong Kong into an international hub for post-secondary education, bringing in more global high-calibre talents.Promote integrated development of culture, sports and tourism and foster economic diversification Promoting integrated development of culture, sports and tourism is the objective of this term of Government in setting up the Culture, Sports and Tourism Bureau. The Government will reinforce the development of the West Kowloon Cultural District to take a leading role in establishing an industry chain for the arts and culture and creative industries of Hong Kong. The Government will also strive to develop the Kai Tak Sports Park into a sports and mega event landmark, building an international sports mega event hub. The Government will publish the Development Blueprint for Hong Kong’s Tourism Industry 2.0, putting emphasis on promoting areas including culture, sports, ecology and mega events, with a view to revitalising Hong Kong’s tourism industry. A Working Group on Developing Tourist Hotspots will be set up to strengthen cross-departmental co-ordination, and to identify and develop tourist hotspots of high popularity and with strong appeal in various districts. Hong Kong is facing economic restructuring. To assist small and medium enterprises (SMEs) to cope with the prevailing challenges, the Government will put in place a range of support initiatives. Key measures include: relaunching the principal moratorium to offer SMEs flexibility in managing cash flows; injecting $1 billion into the BUD Fund (Dedicated Fund on Branding, Upgrading and Domestic Sales) to facilitate upgrading of enterprises; expanding the scope of the Digital Transformation Support Pilot Programme to cover the industries of tourism and personal services; and launching the Incentive Scheme for Recurrent Exhibitions 2.0. In addition, a Working Group on Promoting Silver Economy will be set up to implement measures in five areas, namely consumption, industry, quality assurance, financial and security arrangements, and productivity, meeting the growing needs of the elderly and help the industry to seize business opportunities.Take forward the Northern Metropolis as growth engine and deepen GBA collaboration To take forward the development of the Northern Metropolis, it was announced in the Policy Address to explore the establishment of a pilot industrial park in the Northern Metropolis by granting it to a company established and led by the Government. The company will, in accordance with the Government’s industrial policies, be responsible for formulating the park’s development and operation strategies. To expedite the development, the Government will adopt, on a pilot basis, a large-scale land-disposal approach, for collective development by successful bidders. In addition, the Steering Committee on the Hong Kong Shenzhen I&T Park in the Loop, chaired by the Chief Executive, will formulate the overall strategy, planning and layout for the development of the Hong Kong Park. The Development Outline for the Hong Kong Park of the Hetao Shenzhen Hong Kong Science and Technology Innovation Co-operation Zone will be published later this year. Improve people’s livelihood in pursuit of happiness This year, the Policy Address outlined a number of new measures on different livelihood areas, including land creation and housing construction and healthcare, making Hong Kong a better place to live and enjoy life. On housing, a system on the renting of subdivided units (SDUs) in residential buildings will be devised, through legislation, to tackle the long-standing problem of SDUs at its roots in an orderly manner. The Government will also enhance the housing ladder to allow more people to realise their aspiration for home ownership. Regarding healthcare, as noted in the Policy Address, the Government will deepen the reform of the healthcare system, strengthen public and primary healthcare services and promote the development of primary healthcare on all fronts, and boost healthy fertility. The Government also supports the plan, by local universities, to establish a third medical school. The Government will set aside sites in Ngau Tam Mei to build a new campus and an integrated medical teaching and research hospital. To improve people’s livelihood, the Government will continue to take forward and enhance various measures for targeted poverty alleviation and focusing on different needs of the underprivileged. Meanwhile, the Government will regularise the funding provision for Care Teams and increase funding in the next term of service to strengthen support for their work. The Policy Address also proposed to reform the roles of the Employees Retraining Board to devise skills-based training programmes and strategies for the entire workforce, and lift the restriction on educational attainment of trainees. Mr Lee concluded, “This Policy Address deepens the reforms that I have introduced since I became Chief Executive. It presents enhanced measures to boost the economy and improve people’s livelihood. It seeks to address the prevailing needs of our people, while mapping our vision and long-term goals for building a brighter future for Hong Kong. I am confident that Hong Kong will continue to go from strength to strength and attain new heights. Through our united efforts to reform and innovate, our economy will go even stronger and our people will lead a better life, making Hong Kong a shining city.” A Supplement offering more backgrounds and details of various policy measures has been compiled with this year’s Policy Address. For related information and key initiatives of the Policy Address, please visit http://www.policyaddress.gov.hk.

MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

January 23, 2025
MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Metropolis project to be expedited

Source: Hong Kong Information Services

Chief Executive John Lee says the Government will expedite the implementation of economic and housing-related projects in the Northern Metropolis while maintaining a prudent fiscal position, highlighting that some 60,000 housing units will be completed in the next five years.

Unveiling his third Policy Address today, Mr Lee said the Government is taking an innovative approach to advancing the development of the Northern Metropolis. This involves exploring the establishment of a pilot industrial park by means of granting some of the logistics sites in the Hung Shui Kiu/Ha Tsuen New Development Area (NDA) to a company established and led by the Government.

The company will, in accordance with the Government’s industrial policies, be responsible for formulating the park’s development and operational strategies, and will decide whether to accept strategic investment. Details will be announced in the first quarter of next year.

Separately, the Government will also consider flexible disposal of land to meet the development needs of individual industries, with a view to driving industrial development.

Moreover, the Government will adopt, on a pilot basis, a large-scale land disposal approach, under which sizable land parcels with commercial value and earmarked for the provision of community facilities will be selected and granted to successful bidders for collective development.

This approach is aimed at speeding up development of the land parcels, enabling a more co-ordinated approach to their design. Three land parcels, each of 10 to 20 hectares, have been identified as pilot sites.

Entering maturity

Noting that the Northern Metropolis project will gradually enter its maturity phase, Mr Lee said that in the next five years some 60,000 housing units there, involving about 10 new public rental housing estates, will be completed and ready for intake.

In the same period, the first batch of land at the San Tin Technopole will be offered to the market, and the new Huanggang Port building, providing co-location of immigration and customs clearance, will be completed.

In the subsequent five‑year period, the number of new housing units will increase by about 150,000, with over 10 million sq m of gross floor area becoming available for economic uses. The first joint-user government building, in Kwu Tung North, will also be put to use, and the expanded North District Hospital will be ready for service.

As for transport infrastructure, construction of the Northern Link Main Line is scheduled for completion in 2034, and the Northern Metropolis Highway (San Tin Section) is set to open in 2036.

Mr Lee said that apart from enhancing the quality of life of Hong Kong people, these developments will significantly boost the city’s economic growth and bolster its technology industries, while providing a living environment that will help to attract talents and encourage them to settle in Hong Kong for good.

The way forward

The Government will seek funding for the first stage of the San Tin Technopole’s infrastructure and begin construction works this year. The target is to deliver about 20 hectares of new innovation and technology (I&T) sites in phases, beginning in 2026-27, for the Hong Kong Science & Technology Parks Corporation’s development and operation.

In addition, the second phase of the Yuen Long South NDA will begin in mid-2025. The preliminary development proposal for Ngau Tam Mei will be announced imminently, with land being reserved for developing the Northern Metropolis University Town, a third medical school and an integrated teaching hospital.

This will be followed by the announcement of preliminary development proposals for the New Territories North New Town and the Ma Tso Lung area before the end of this year.

The rezoning process for Sandy Ridge in the North District will begin this year, with its I&T sites being expanded to 10 hectares.

I&T zone

Mr Lee said the “Development Outline for the Hong Kong Park of the Hetao Shenzhen Hong Kong Science & Technology Innovation Co-operation Zone” will be published later this year.

It will set out innovative policies to facilitate the flow of personnel, materials, capital and data between the Hong Kong Park and the Shenzhen Park in the zone, making the co-operation zone a crucial source of new quality productive forces for the country.

In addition, the Government is boosting both the speed and quantity of the Hong Kong Park project, which will be developed in two phases from west to east.

The first-phase development’s gross floor area will be doubled to 1 million sq m. Construction of the first three buildings will be completed in phases, from the end of this year.

The first batch of tenants, from the life and health technology, AI, data science and other pillar industries, will begin to move in next year. The remaining five buildings will be completed in the coming five years.

The Government is also exploring with the Mainland authorities the trial implementation of innovative facilitation measures.

These include facilitating cross-boundary travel of designated personnel from the two parks, enabling the cross-boundary movement of materials by using low altitude, unmanned aerial vehicles, and facilitating cross-boundary fund transfers by Mainland enterprises settling in the Hong Kong Park.

Bay area strengths

Turning to Greater Bay Area (GBA) development, Mr Lee said he has established the Steering Group on Integration into National Development to lead the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government and all sectors of the community to be more proactive in promoting the integrated development of Hong Kong and the Mainland, particularly the Mainland cities of the GBA.

The Chief Executive said the Government will continue to promote GBA development by building a higher level of connectivity, facilitating policy innovations and breakthroughs, pursuing wider harmonisation of rules and mechanisms, and expediting the co-ordinated development of I&T and related industries.

The Government will work with the Dongguan Municipal Government, among others, to jointly develop a permanent Hong Kong International Airport (HKIA) Dongguan Logistics Park.

It will also seek to combine the strengths of the HKIA and Zhuhai Airport by enhancing the Fly Via Zhuhai Hong Kong direct passenger service and promoting the development of the international air-cargo business in collaboration with the Zhuhai Municipality.

On recognition of professional qualifications, Mr Lee said that following the establishment, in collaboration with Guangdong, of an evaluation mechanism in relation to post titles for the first batch of Hong Kong engineering professionals, the Government will do the same for other construction professions on a gradual basis.

The Government is also collaborating with Guangdong and Macau to create GBA Standards on the skill levels of skilled workers in the construction sector, and will adopt the “One Examination, Multiple Certification” arrangement. Under this arrangement, those who pass examinations adopting the GBA Standards can concurrently obtain vocational skill certificates issued by the three places.

To accelerate development of the pharmaceutical industry, the Government will work to enable the cross-boundary use of data, samples, drugs and medical devices through the GBA Clinical Trial Collaboration Platform and the Real World Study & Application Centre in the Hetao Shenzhen-Hong Kong Science & Technology Innovation Co-operation Zone.

MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

January 23, 2025
MIL-OSI Russia: ‘Distance is not a problem’: HSE develops cooperation with think tanks of BRICS countries

MILES AXLE Translation. Region: Russian Federation –

Source: State University Higher School of Economics – State University Higher School of Economics –

At the end of September Institute for Statistical Studies and Economics of Knowledge (ISSEK) HSE held a meeting with representatives of analytical centers from Brazil, India, and Egypt. The participants considered the possibilities of cooperation, including conducting joint surveys and comparative studies, and discussed the formation of common databases and joint publications on foresight and scientific and technical policy. A decision was also made to prepare a draft multilateral agreement on the establishment of the BRICS Foresight Research Association.

Leonid Gokhberg, First Vice-Rector of the National Research University Higher School of Economics and Director of the ISSEK, welcomed the participants and presented an overview of HSE research activities in areas of possible cooperation, focusing in particular on those conducted by the team of the Institute for Statistical Studies and Economics of Knowledge.

ISSEK comprises 19 research centres and two international laboratories, with over 240 employees, making it the largest research unit of the Higher School of Economics. The key areas of the institute’s activities are statistical measurements and forecasting of development directions in science, technology, innovation, education, the digital economy and creative industries. ISSEK scientists analyse scientific, technical and innovation policies implemented in Russia and around the world, and study the factors of sustainable economic growth, social welfare and competitiveness.

ISSEK is implementing a number of large-scale research projects. The Doing Science in Russia study analyzes the current state of Russian science and its development prospects. The Russian Cluster Observatory, which studies the innovative and creative development of cities and regions, publishes two ratings: the Innovative Development Rating of Russian Regions and the HSE Global Cities Innovation Index. In the third, recently published edition, the authors examine more than 1,000 agglomerations with the largest number of high technologies and creative leaders from 144 countries. Hundreds of ISSEK research projects use the results of the unique iFORA big data mining system developed by its team.

Leonid Gokhberg outlined potential areas of cooperation between ISSEK and foreign partners in the framework of joint research, publications and courses in such areas as foresight, the use of big data, scientific and technical policy, the business climate in the field of science and technology, the digital economy, the creative economy, and innovative urban development.

The Director of the ISSEK also proposed the creation of a BRICS Foresight Research Association, which would promote cooperation in the field of futures research.

Fernando Rizzo, Director of the Center for Strategic Studies and Management in Science, Technology and Innovation (CGEE, Brazil), introduced the audience to the history and activities of the organization. CGEE was founded in 2001 and has 115 employees. The center supports decision-making processes on topics related to science, technology and innovation. CGEE experts evaluate and monitor public policies, identify promising technologies and competencies, conduct foresight studies, and provide strategic consulting services for decision-making. CGEE includes several research observatories: Information Services for Science, Technology and Innovation; Space Technology Observatory; Science, Technology and Innovation Observatory; Innovation Observatory for Sustainable Cities; Bioeconomy Observatory; Digital Transformation Observatory.

In 2024, CGEE organized the 5th National Conference on Science, Technology and Innovation, a major event that attracted a total of 30,000 participants from 27 Brazilian states. The conference presented the Brazilian Plan for Artificial Intelligence (BPAI) 2024-2028.

Dr. Mohamed Ramadan Rezk, Director of the Egyptian Science, Technology and Innovation Observatory (ESTIO, Egypt), began his presentation with the surprising idea that foresight existed as far back as Ancient Egypt, where the future, i.e. life after death, was depicted on bas-reliefs. In its modern sense, foresight research began in Egypt in 1975, when the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations conducted a study on the demographic impact of potential development strategies from 1975 to 1985. ESTIO was established in February 2014 as a subordinate organization of the Academy of Scientific Research and Technology (ASRT) to develop science, technology and innovation indicators, conduct foresight studies and raise awareness of foresight in Egypt. Later, in 2021, the North African Applied Systems Analysis Center (NAASAC) was established as a collaboration between ASRT, the International Institute for Applied Systems Analysis (IIASA) in Austria and the National Planning Institute of Egypt. Its activities include developing an online educational program on applied research; organizing joint applied research on issues relevant to decision makers in Egypt, North Africa and the Arab States; and providing advisory services to governments and businesses. ASRT conducts foresight research in areas such as energy, water, the impact of COVID-19 on society, and climate change.

Dr. Gautam Goswami, Principal Scientist, Technology Information, Forecasting and Assessment Council (TIFAC, India), shared the strengths of his organization. TIFAC is a technology think tank under the Ministry of Science and Technology, Government of India. It brings together eminent experts from government agencies, research institutes, universities and industry. TIFAC focuses on areas such as assessing the country’s technology needs and forecasting promising areas of technology development. Since 1996, TIFAC has been publishing a series of reports called “The Future of Technology” (the first and second editions set the forecast horizon for 2020 and 2035; the report “The Future of Technology – 2047” is currently being prepared). The council’s experts also prepare other short- and long-term foresight reports, as well as the Technology Market Research Report, which tracks new technologies, collects patent information, and maintains databases of technologies and experts. TIFAC also provides foresight training to industry professionals, government officials, and academics.

Iwao Ohashi from Japan, Advisor for Japan and Asia Pacific Countries to the Association of Industrial Parks of Russia, shared his opinion on the prospects for Russia’s technological development under sanctions. He believes that Russia should develop cooperation in technology and innovation with the BRICS countries. Joint foresight studies are also very important, and Iwao Ohashi believes that the creation of the BRICS Foresight Research Association would be a very promising idea. Mr. Ohashi noted that in the near future, China will most likely become a global leader in innovation. At the same time, he emphasized that “we need to make a strategic bet on the creation of Russian innovation centers within the country and in its regions, as well as invite foreign experts to Russia.”

Following the presentations, ISSEK scientists exchanged ideas for cooperation with foreign participants. Dirk Meissner, Head ofLaboratory of Innovation Economy and academic director of the master’s program “Governance in the field of science, technology and innovation“, mentioned cooperation with colleagues from the University of Campinas in Brazil. “Geographical distance is no longer a problem,” said Dirk Meissner, emphasizing the importance of communication and education online.

Liliana Proskuryakova, Head of DepartmentLaboratory for Science and Technology Research, noted the issues of health care, energy and water resources as cross-cutting themes in the participants’ speeches. A comprehensive analysis of these basic needs of humanity can determine the priorities of cooperation, in addition, this agenda is also in line with the Sustainable Development Goals that are relevant for our countries. Mikhail Gershman, Director Center for Scientific, Technical, Innovation and Information Policy, head of the project “Making Science in Russia”, invited colleagues to join forces in the framework of comparative cross-country studies of the working conditions of scientists and state scientific and technical policy. Ekaterina Streltsova, director Center for Statistics and Monitoring of Science and Innovation, proposed establishing cooperation to conduct joint research on technological development, including using patent analysis tools.

Evgeny Kutsenko, Director of the Russian Cluster Observatory, spoke about the project’s scientific plans, including cluster development, unicorn companies and creative industries. The possibilities of strengthening joint projects based on the results of big data analysis were demonstrated by showing the system developed at ISSEKiFORA, expert of the Center for Strategic Analytics and Big Data of the ISSEK Maria Antasheva.

“I am pleased to meet you. CGEE started collaborating with HSE many years ago. And when Alexander Sokolov suggested intensifying scientific ties, most of the CGEE staff, who already had experience interacting with the Higher School of Economics, knowing the high level of its research, readily supported this idea,” said Fernando Rizzo, Director of CGEE. “At our center, we work in various areas, including sustainable cities, bioeconomy, energy, airspace, agriculture and education. Among the potential areas of our international cooperation, I see training and education in AI and data science, the use of generative AI for research and innovation, joint data infrastructure and the use of predictive modeling in big data analysis.”

The meeting participants agreed to strengthen international ties and implement projects in areas of mutual interest, including within the framework of the planned multilateral agreement to create the BRICS Foresight Research Association.

Please note: This information is raw content directly from the source of the information. It is exactly what the source states and does not reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.

Please note; This information is raw content directly from the information source. It is accurate to what the source is stating and does not reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.

http://vvv.hse.ru/nevs/expertise/975578115.html

MIL OSI Russia News –

January 23, 2025
MIL-OSI Europe: Briefing – Confirmation hearings of the Commissioners-designate: Marta Kos – Enlargement – 15-10-2024

Source: European Parliament

Marta Kos is self-employed, working through Kos Consulting and Coaching (2021-present), and a senior advisor at the Brussels consulting firm Kreab. From 2017 to 2021, she was Slovenian Ambassador to Switzerland and Liechtenstein, and Ambassador to Germany and Latvia (2013-2017). As president of the Slovenian women’s association ONA VE (‘she knows’), Kos works to raise the profile of female experts. Kos has been engaged in Slovenia’s political life as a vice-president of the social-liberal Freedom Movement party. Among the positions she held while employed by the government were director of the Public Relations and Media Office, and government spokesperson. Between 2003 and 2013, Kos headed Gustav Käser Training International Slovenia, specialising in leadership and sales training. Until 2003, Kos was vice-president for international relations at the Slovenian Chamber of Commerce and Industry. Kos earned a bachelor’s degree in journalism in 1989 and, in 2001, a master’s degree in political science from the University of Ljubljana.

MIL OSI Europe News –

January 23, 2025
MIL-OSI Europe: Briefing – Confirmation hearings of the Commissioners-designate: Teresa Ribera Rodríguez – Executive Vice-President for Clean, Just and Competitive Transition – 15-10-2024

Source: European Parliament

Teresa Ribera Rodríguez has held senior posts in the Spanish government since 2018, most recently serving as third vice-president of the government and minister for ecological transition and demographic challenge (2021-2024), fourth vice-president of the government and minister for ecological transition and demographic challenge (2020-2021) and minister for ecological transition (2018-2020). Since 2000, Ribera Rodríguez has been involved in the international climate negotiations for the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change. From 2013 to 2014, she was advisor on energy and climate programme at the Institute for Sustainable Development and International Relations, and in 2019, she was responsible for organising the UNFCCC COP25 in Madrid. Member of the Spanish parliament, representing the Socialist party, since 2019, Ribera was state secretary for climate change and biodiversity in a previous government from 2008 to 2011. Born in 1969 in Madrid, Ribera Rodríguez holds a law degree from Madrid’s Complutense University and a diploma in constitutional law and political science from the Centre for Political and Constitutional Studies. This is one of a set of briefings designed to give an overview of issues of interest relating to the portfolios of the Commissioners designate. All these briefings can be found at: https://epthinktank.eu/commissioner_hearings_2024.

MIL OSI Europe News –

January 23, 2025
MIL-OSI Europe: Briefing – Confirmation hearings of the Commissioners-designate: Henna Virkkunen – Executive Vice-President for Tech Sovereignty, Security and Democracy – 15-10-2024

Source: European Parliament

Henna Virkkunen is a Finnish politician and member of the National Coalition Party, which is affiliated with the European People’s Party group in the European Parliament. She has been a Member of the European Parliament since 2014, serving inter alia on the Committees on Industry, Research and Energy (ITRE), and Transport and Tourism (TRAN). She was also a member of the Committee of Inquiry investigating the use of Pegasus and equivalent surveillance spyware (PEGA) and the Special Committee on Artificial Intelligence in a Digital Age (AIDA). In Parliament, Virkkunen has worked on various technology and cybersecurity dossiers such as the Digital Services Act, the Cyber-Resilience Act and the Connecting Europe Facility. Before her election to the European Parliament, Virkkunen was a member of the Finnish Parliament (2007-2014) and was part of the Finnish government as minister for education and science, minister for public administration and local government, and transport minister. Born in 1972 in Joutsa, Finland, Virkkunen holds master’s (2001) and bachelor’s degrees (2000) from the University of Jyväskylä. This is one of a set of briefings designed to give an overview of issues of interest relating to the portfolios of the Commissioners designate. All these briefings can be found at: https://epthinktank.eu/commissioner_hearings_2024.

MIL OSI Europe News –

January 23, 2025
MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Education Commission Chairman welcomes “The Chief Executive’s 2024 Policy Address”

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

Education Commission Chairman welcomes “The Chief Executive’s 2024 Policy Address”
Education Commission Chairman welcomes “The Chief Executive’s 2024 Policy Address”
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The following is issued on behalf of the Education Commission: The Chairman of the Education Commission, Dr David Wong, welcomed the education initiatives announced in “The Chief Executive’s 2024 Policy Address” delivered today (October 16). Dr Wong said, “As the Chairman of the Education Commission, I support the Government’s commitment to enhancing the quality of education. To complement the country’s development strategy, the Government strives to develop Hong Kong into an international hub for post-secondary education on all fronts, nurture and attract diversified talent to achieve the goal of building an international hub for high-calibre professionals. “I support the Education Bureau’s ongoing efforts in leveraging Hong Kong’s edge of a highly international and diversified post-secondary education sector. Through encouraging local institutions to enhance exchanges and collaboration with institutions from around the world, hosting more international education conferences and exhibitions to promote the ‘Study in Hong Kong’ brand on a global scale, and setting up the Hong Kong Future Talents Scholarship Scheme for Advanced Studies, our goal is to establish Hong Kong as an international hub for post-secondary education and enhance Hong Kong’s competitiveness.” He added, “I am pleased that the Government, to complement the national strategy of invigorating the country through science and education, will promote digital education, review the curriculum of junior secondary Science, and support teachers in utilising artificial intelligence for teaching. These efforts will continue to foster STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, the Arts and Mathematics) education in primary and secondary schools, thereby enhancing Hong Kong’s edge in innovation and technology. Furthermore, the Government is committed to enhancing the language proficiency of our students and strengthening support to achieve a good mastery of English language, Putonghua and other languages to heighten their global competitiveness and broaden their horizons. Additionally, the Government will remain dedicated to promoting national security and patriotic education on all fronts by incorporating elements of Chinese history and national geography into Mainland study tours to foster students’ sense of national identity. To build a high-quality teaching force, the Government will set up the Teacher Professional Development Fund of $2 billion to provide a steady funding source for teacher training and exchange programmes.” Dr Wong also appreciated the Government’s efforts in enhancing students’ whole-person development and the well-being of teachers and students. This includes further promotion of the 4Rs Mental Health Charter, launch of the “Mental Health Literacy” resource packages, strengthening of teacher training and parent education, and extending and enhancing the Three-Tier School-based Emergency Mechanism, promoting the physical and psychological wellness of students, teachers and parents, and enhancing resilience and cultivating positive thinking among them. “Education is the cornerstone of social advancement. The Education Commission will continue to render advice and work together with the Government to foster the long-term development of Hong Kong’s education, with a view to cultivating values and nurturing people with quality education. We aim to enable young people to unleash their potential and gain a global perspective, and become visionary, innovative and creative successors with an affection for the motherland and a sense of responsibility towards society, who shall contribute to the new quality productive forces and high-quality development of our country, shaping a better future,” Dr Wong said.

Ends/Wednesday, October 16, 2024Issued at HKT 18:10

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MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

January 23, 2025